© Getty Images Sports – Julian Finney
Coach Rick Macci revealed that 10-year-old Serena Williams often told him she would one day be No. 1 in the world. March, who had been Serena and Venus’ coach during their childhoods, responded to Serena by telling her that she wasn’t even number one in the family.
At the time, Venus was a year and a half older and more developed than Serena. On February 1, 2002, Venus became the world’s number one. A few months later, on July 1, 2002, Serena reached the top spot – having spent a total of 319 weeks in her career.
“@Serenawilliams always chirped even as a ten year old and said the first thing was Rick and I was going to be number one. I’d like to say you can but now you’re only number two in your own bedroom! @Venuseswilliams ,” Macci wrote on X.
the first thing @serenawilliams Even as a ten-year-old, Rick was always chirping “I’m going to be number one.”
I’d say you can, but now you only have your number two in your own bedroom! @Venuseswilliams — Rick Macci (@RickMacci) September 14, 2023
Williams sisters receive special tribute from Coco Goff
At the just past U.S. Open, 19-year-old Gauff became a Grand Slam champion.
Shortly after winning the championship, Goff told the Williams sisters to make it all possible. “Yeah, it’s crazy. I mean, honestly, they’re the reason I’m getting this trophy today. They made me believe in this dream growing up.
You know, there aren’t a lot of black tennis players dominating the sport. Indeed, when I was young, they were all I could remember. Apparently, more people are coming because of their heritage. So that makes the dream more believable.
But everything they had to go through made it easier for people like me to do it. I mean, you look back at the history of Indian Wells and Serena, everything she’s been through, Venus fighting for equal pay.
Yeah, like, it’s crazy, it’s an honor to be in a lineup like that. I’m watching, she’s won many times. (Laughter),” Goff said.