"She never probably thinks she's even lost" - Rick Macci on Serena Williams' mindset

In a recent podcast appearance with Kamau Murray, renowned tennis coach Rick Macci highlighted the mindset of Serena Williams and spoke about how Venus Williams was one of the best movers in the game.

Macci was quizzed on what qualities a perfect player would possess. Combining the best qualities of different players, Macci stated the player should have Roger Federer's forehand, Novak Djokovic's backhand and Andy Roddick's serve.

"Definitely Federer's forehand, Djokovic's backhand and Roddick's serve."

The next necessary thing would be the mindset or "inner quality" of Serena Williams. According to Macci, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has a unique outlook and considers herself unbeaten even after all this time.

"The inner quality of Serena. To this day, according to me, she probably thinks she's undefeated in her own way. She never probably thinks she's even lost. She just ran out of time. It's a way you play this game within a game of your own mind."

Macci's perfect player also needs to be equipped with the movement of Venus Williams. While her height and long legs definitely helped her, the American is quick off the blocks and is able to hit brilliantly on the run. He even compared her reach to Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.

"And obviously the movement of Venus. The legs help but inside the legs she had these strides and her make-up speed was brutal. No one's been able to hit on the run like Venus Williams. I think if people don't agree with that then they're looking at the wrong movie."

"She can hit on the run like Djoker, he could stretch out or like Medvedev, they have these tentacles that just keep on going and get behind the ball. So that would be my ultimate player."

Serena Williams to miss 2022 Australian Open

Serena Williams at the 2021 Australian Open.

Serena Williams, who has not played since Wimbledon due to an injury, is set to miss the upcoming Australian Open as well. The American has triumphed seven times in Melbourne and lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Naomi Osaka this year.

While it's no doubt disappointing to see Williams miss yet another event, it's heartening to learn that she is getting ready for another comeback as per her statement.

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