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Serena Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci has disclosed that he doesn’t believe the tennis star has the stamina to win seven consecutive matches and claim the Wimbledon singles title.
The 44-year-old legend, who retired initially in 2022, recently made her return to professional tennis in doubles and has played two matches so far.
Serena received the last available Wimbledon wildcard in singles, having already received a doubles wildcard to play alongside her older sister, Venus.
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However, Macci, in a chat with Tennis365, stated that he believes Serena can do damage and hit massive serves against anyone on the other side of the net.
“I wasn’t surprised,” said Macci. “Four years ago, when she unplugged and retired at the US Open, I still thought there was a lot left in the tank, and I still thought she was gonna play doubles with Venus.
“If you rewind the tape, she never really closed the door… a [she had] lot of things going on in her life, had another child, had a lot of other interests.
“Where we’re at today, it doesn’t surprise me. I said it four months ago: ‘not only is she gonna play doubles, and I think it’s gonna happen at Wimbledon, I think she’ll play singles.
“Listen, she’s all in, she’s been working hard, she’s been training. This isn’t a cameo. This isn’t for any other reason than she loves to compete. It’s still in her blood. It’s must-see TV, and I think all the ratings for tennis are gonna go through the roof.
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“She’s doing it the right way by playing doubles to get used to the grass. Listen, she used to play two hours on grass back when she was a kid. She has the big serve, the clean groundstrokes, brutal return of serve.
“Doubles, you’re only covering half the court, so she stepped in for a little tune-up with the doubles, but 100%, singles was on the horizon. Grass is probably her best surface, simply because she can hurt people easier, and the points are quicker, shorter. And the other way around, they’re playing Serena Williams on the other side of the net.
“So nothing would surprise me if she did go and beat people. Is she gonna win the tournament? No. But can she do damage and beat anybody? I’m telling you, she can beat anybody on the tour, because when you’re nervous…”
