The famous coach Rick Macci had the opportunity to work with several world no. 1 players, including Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Maria Sharapova. In the early 90s, Macci was also involved in developing two extraordinary sisters, helping their father draw the most from them and prepare the famous duo for the professional circuit. Of course, they are Serena and Venus Williams, and they stayed with him until they were ready to conquer the world of tennis. Often asked about Serena and her long-expected comeback, Macci confirmed that the 23-time Major champion plans to compete again and that the retirement will have to wait a bit more.
Williams has not played since the last year’s Wimbledon. Serena experienced an injury in the opening round against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, not competing again in the previous 11 months. The American has played only six tournaments since the start of 2021, and she is currently ranked 276th. One of the greatest female players in the Open era will lose all of her ranking points after Wimbledon, playing in London or not, as the WTA decided to give no points at this year’s Championship.
Thus, Serena will drop out from the WTA ranking for the first time since October 1997, ending her streak that has been going on for almost 25 years! Williams cracked the top-20 in 1998 after a couple of notable results. Serena entered the top-4 in 1999 following her first Major crown at the US Open, still at 17. Williams established herself as the top-10 player in 2000 and 2001 and conquered the WTA throne in 2002 despite playing only nine tournaments that year! Despite injuries, Serena has remained competitive for over two decades, winning 23 singles Major titles and moving one behind Margaret Court’s record of 24.
After only six tournaments on her tally and no Major finals, Serena finished the 2021 season ranked outside the top-40 for the first time since 2006. The American veteran struggled with injuries and terminated the year after tearing her hamstring in the Wimbledon first round.
Serena decided to call it a year and make a fresh start in 2022, although without specifying when. Williams claimed the 23rd Major crown at the Australian Open 2017 after beating her sister Venus in the final. The great American took a break from tennis to give berth to a child later that year and returned in the spring of 2018.
Serena reached four Major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and 2019, losing them to much younger opponents and failing to make an extra step and match Court’s record. Serena has been dealing with numerous injuries in the past couple of years. Her best result at Majors came at the last year’s Australian Open when she lost to Naomi Osaka in the semi-final.
