Venus Williams was able to showcase some of her greatest hits in her return to the US Open.
Williams received a wildcard for the US Open this year, with the 45-year-old playing singles at the New York major for the first time since 2023.
In her first round match, Williams experienced something for the first time in her career, despite losing to Karolina Muchova.
However, her former coach has expressed his belief that Williams still has one of the best shots in the history of women’s tennis.
Venus Williams told her backhand down the line is one of the best shots in WTA history
Williams made history in her return to tennis at the Washington Open, but she has failed to win a singles match since then.
Her latest match saw her beaten by former Roland Garros finalist Muchova, with Williams losing 6-3 2-6 6-1.
Despite falling away in the deciding set, her childhood coach Rick Macci has praised Williams’ down the line backhand and called it one of the top three in the history of the WTA Tour.
Macci wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Venus the Compton Comet and her on the rise open stance backhand down the line with unreal disguise and deception is one of the top three most potent shots in the history of women’s tennis.”
Rick Macci says what he thinks is actually Venus Williams’ best weapon
Venus Williams is a former world number one and has won seven Grand Slam singles titles in her career.
While she is no longer competing for the biggest prizes in the sport, Venus is still one of the biggest draws on the WTA Tour.
Many people have suggested that Venus could have won more majors without her younger sister Serena as a rival, but Macci has suggested the opposite.
He wrote in a separate social media post, “Venus has the serve. Venus had the strokes. Venus had the swing volleys. Venus had the foot speed. Venus had the mindset. But her best weapon in that Compton toolbox was Serena.”
Serena Williams retired at the 2022 US Open, and it is now unclear whether Venus will ever return to the New York major.
Following her defeat to Muchova, Venus Williams did provide an insight into her future plans.
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