The bond between the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, is an enduring testament to sisterhood, loyalty, and family – values that are often scarce in the high-stakes world of competitive tennis. The pair, who ascended from humble beginnings in Compton to become international sports icons, have been unwavering in their support of each other, a fact that has remained constant even as they revolutionized the game of tennis.
According to their childhood coach, Rick Macci, it was Venus, the elder of the two, who served as a steadfast pillar of support for Serena, the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Macci, who was instrumental in shaping the sisters’ early careers from 1991 to 1995, recalls Venus prioritizing her younger sister’s needs above her own.
In a recent interaction, Macci described Venus as an “amazing big sister,” emphasizing how she always cared for Serena first, motivated her first, and showed concern for her before herself. He also highlighted the life lessons they learned as part of the ‘Compton First Family’ and their numerous pioneering achievements in tennis.
Macci’s tribute to Venus came on the heels of Serena’s guest appearance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, where she performed with rapper Kendrick Lamar. Her performance, particularly her crip-walking to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us,’ a track targeted at her alleged ex-beau Drake, set the internet ablaze. Despite the backlash faced due to the dance move’s association with gang culture, Venus was quick to voice her admiration for Serena’s electrifying performance.
While Serena bid adieu to her illustrious career in 2022, Venus remains unretired, albeit currently inactive on the tour. Her last appearance was at the Miami Open in 2024, where she suffered an opening-round defeat.
Macci, on the other hand, continues to share his insights on a variety of topics, including the recent doping controversy surrounding Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner. The World No. 1 tested positive twice for the prohibited anabolic substance clostebol in March 2024, leading to a three-month suspension from the tour. Macci, however, sees this as a silver lining, believing that Sinner can utilize the break to refine his skills and return to the game stronger.
Sinner’s suspension concludes on May 4, allowing him to participate in the Grand Slam events. He is expected to make his comeback at the ATP 1000 Masters event in Rome, as he gears up for the French Open.
