‘It’s not even close’ – Legendary coach names Serena Williams as greatest of all time

Serena Williams is by far the greatest women’s player ever and it is not even a contest according to this respected coach.

Rick Macci has trained five world number one tennis players in Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati, Maria Sharapova and, most famously, Venus and Serena Williams.

Now, the coaching legend has had his say on the debate for which player is ‘The Greatest of All Time’, though he admittedly separated the men and the women.

“To me it’s easy with [the women], you already know what I’m going to say,” Macci began his response when asked the question of who is the GOAT in an interview with Essentially Sports.

“I think if you just judge it on the accomplishments and with your eyes, I don’t think anybody is even close to Serena.

“I just don’t even think it’s close. Nothing against anybody else, but she’s incredible.”

Serena is second all-time in terms of Major singles titles with 23, one ahead of Steffi Graf on 22 and just one behind Margaret Court’s record of 24.

However, Court only won 11 of her 24 Slams during the Open Era, when professional players were finally allowed to compete alongside amateurs at the Slams.

Serena has also been world number one for a combined 319 weeks, third all-time on the WTA tour behind Martina Navratilova and Graf.

“[It’s] nothing to do with me,” Macci continued on Serena’s greatness.

“She’s just incredible in every way. To me that’s a slam dunk.”

Macci also gave his view on the debate among the men and who is the GOAT among the ‘Big Three’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

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