Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci is happy Williams is leaving the sport on her own terms after she announced her retirement this week.
Serena Williams announced her plan to retire after the 2022 US Open in a Vogue piece where she explained that it was something she feels is right to do. Williams admitted that her desire to become a mother for the 2nd time again was a driving factor for her and that she's ready for whatever the next chapter brings.
The news was received with sadness by many tennis fans but Williams also received a lot of support for her decision to leave the sport she loves. Former childhood coach Rick Macci admitted that it's not that surprising to him:
"It doesn't surprise me. Listen, she's doing this on her terms. She has a lot of things going on. I'm just happy for her because she's making the decision and she's doing it on her terms."
He continued:
"It's not an injury, she's not hanging on too long or anything like that, but what I really like it's gonna end at the U.S. Open. That's where she won her first Grand Slam and people in New York love it. I think it's gonna be a must-see TV and knowing Serena, she's gonna go out with a bang."