Legendary tennis coach Rick Macci, renowned for nurturing the early careers of Serena and Venus Williams, has made a striking comparison between Iga Swiatek’s mental strength and that of Serena Williams, particularly after Swiatek’s dominant victory at Wimbledon. Macci’s statement, shared via X (formerly Twitter) on July 19, 2025, underscored Swiatek’s ability to “dictate on grass” with a fierce mindset, likening her mental approach to that of the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
Macci Praises Swiatek’s Mental Prowess at Wimbledon
Following Iga Swiatek’s historic 6-0, 6-0 “double bagel” win against Amanda Anisimova in the 2025 Wimbledon final, Rick Macci lauded the Polish star’s mental transformation and unwavering focus. Macci commented, “Iga had the mindset to be more aggressive and dictate on grass. Easier said than done, but the Polisher Punisher stepped up, stepped in, and the competition was done.” He further emphasized, “Iga is one of the best we have seen mentally since Serena,” highlighting her unique ability to maintain intense focus and deliver relentless performance under pressure, especially noteworthy given her previous struggles on grass courts.
Swiatek’s recent Wimbledon victory marked her first title on grass and her sixth Grand Slam triumph overall. The emphatic nature of her final win, reminiscent of Steffi Graf’s 6-0, 6-0 victory at the 1988 French Open, has further elevated her standing in the sport.
The Serena Williams Standard of Mental Strength
Serena Williams is widely celebrated not only for her unparalleled skill but also for her formidable mental toughness and competitive drive. Her relentless hunger for success was famously encapsulated in her 2016 Wimbledon statement after equaling Steffi Graf’s record: “For anyone else in this whole planet, it would be a wonderful accomplishment. For me, it’s not enough.” Macci, who was instrumental in shaping Serena’s early mindset, suggests that Swiatek now embodies a similar “champion DNA” in her unwavering focus and execution.
Context of Previous Comparisons
While Macci’s latest statement praises Swiatek’s mental parallels to Williams, other notable figures in tennis have offered varied comparisons between the two champions. In June 2025, Patrick Mouratoglou, another prominent coach and former mentor to Serena Williams, drew controversy by stating that Iga Swiatek, despite being a “great player,” was “not a star” in the same vein as Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova. Mouratoglou’s comments were made in the context of defending the French Open’s decision to primarily schedule men’s matches in prime-time night sessions, arguing that women’s tennis lacked “big stars” who could guarantee audience draw for a potentially short match.
This sparked a strong rebuttal from Rennae Stubbs, also a former coach of Serena Williams, who criticized Mouratoglou’s remarks as undermining women’s tennis. John McEnroe also weighed in on the comparisons, noting that while Swiatek’s dominance draws parallels to Williams, their playing styles differ significantly, with Swiatek utilizing more spin compared to Williams’ flatter ball striking.
However, Macci’s recent assessment focuses squarely on the intangible aspect of mental resilience and killer instinct, an area where he sees Swiatek aligning with the legendary Serena Williams after her breakthrough Wimbledon performance. This perspective highlights a crucial element of championship tennis beyond pure skill or star power.
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