Venus and Serena Williams’ Early Mentor Pays Emotional Tribute to the Unsung ‘Queen’ Who Shaped the Sisters’ Lives

The maestro who catapulted Venus and Serena Williams to tennis stardom, Coach Rick Macci recently came out with a new tweet. Macci hinted at the fact that it wasn’t just him or Richard behind the success of the Williams sisters. He name-dropped Oracene Price, their mother, who was also an important part of the journey.
From gripping practice sessions to pivotal moments on the Grand Slam stage, Price has been an important element throughout the way.

Venus and Serena Williams are blessed by a queen’s touch
In the intricate dance of tennis success, the spotlight often hones in on the players. Amidst the narrative of Venus and Serena Williams and their unparalleled tennis journey, there’s a pivotal character. Someone who played the role of both mother and coach. While Macci’s tweet sparks intrigue, it’s the revelation within that unveils the unsung hero of this story.

Macci wrote: “KING RICHARD was 100% the one who KNEW, but QUEEN ORACENE was 100% the GLUE.” These few words encapsulated the essence of Price’s influence. Macci emphasized not just her role as a coach but as the binding force that held the Williams sisters’ journey together.
There was a time when Serena Williams didn’t get much attention in the tennis world, and it was her mother Price, who helped her believe in herself. About this, Price once said, “Venus was her dad’s court. Serena was on mine. He claimed he couldn’t handle Serena, she crazy. I told her a little different, I made her believe in herself. I made her think that she can get to any ball.”

From the rigorous training sessions to the high-stakes Grand Slam moments, Oracene Price’s impact was far-reaching. Macci’s tweet serves the fact that success in tennis isn’t solely about technique and strategy. It’s also about the intangible elements such as family support that shape champions.
Family ties in tennis triumphs
The spotlight often fixates on the players, yet the Williams sisters’ saga is not a solitary tale. Beyond the courts, other tennis luminaries like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Taylor Fritz share a common thread. It is the unwavering support and pivotal roles played by their families that become a common thread.

These stars, much like Venus and Serena Williams, have spoken openly about the immense efforts invested by their family and loved ones. Family bonds are indeed very powerful, so much so that the world number one, Djokovic believes that when he retires from tennis, it would be because of his wish to spend more time with his family.
Rick Macci’s tweet showcases a broader narrative of parents as unsung heroes. The support of these parents has shaped the destinies of tennis’s brightest stars.