In the world of tennis, where athletes strive to rise above the rest, the debate over who holds the title of the greatest athlete can spark fierce discussions. Recently, Maria Sharapova’s former agent, Max Eisenbud, made a bold statement about her athleticism. This statement sent shockwaves through the tennis community, but it was not long before someone stepped up to challenge this notion. Rick Macci, renowned coach to the Williams sisters during their formative years, who also coached the Russian tennis legend, passionately defended Sharapova’s athletic abilities.
Maria Sharapova’s tennis journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Leaving her native Russia at a tender age to chase her tennis dreams in the United States, she quickly rose through the ranks with audacious displays on the court.
Macci’s response to Eisenbud’s statement over Sharapova’s athleticism
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Sharapova’s breakthrough moment came in 2004 when she triumphed over the formidable Serena Williams to claim her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, which was one of her 5 Grand Slam victories. However, Sharapova’s journey was not without its controversies. A positive drug test in 2016 led to a two-year ban from the sport, but she made a valiant comeback in 2017. Injuries eventually caught up with her, and she bid farewell to professional tennis in 2020. Recently, her former agent, Max Eisenbud, shed light on the challenges that affected her career, making a rather controversial statement about her athletic prowess.
Responding to Eisenbud’s claim, Rick Macci took to social media, stating, “@MariaSharapova was a very good athlete. Agents do deals and most have limited knowledge in talent evaluation. When we think of athletic skills we think running and jumping. Maria had incredible hand-eye coordination, and her little steps were poppin the popcorn extra butter. Athletic ability is from your head to your toe! FIVE GRAND SLAMS/NUMBER 1 IN THE WORLD TRUST ME YOUR ATHLETIC!”
