Rick Macci: The Coach Who Turns Passion into Champions

The keynote speaker the Little Mo Internationals this year in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida was Rick Macci, the tennis coaching legend who has shaped so many champions. Macci has coached five players who've reached No. 1 on the pro tour including Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Jennifer Capriati. 

As Macci stepped onto the courts for his keynote speech, he was greeted with a sea of excited faces. “Wow, I can’t believe it,” he told to Florida Tennis contributor Dave "Koz" Kozlowski in an exclusive interview. “There were 1,400 kids waiting in line for an autograph or a book signed. And then the parents jumped in, too. It’s humbling to see how much people appreciate what I’ve done for this game.”

Macci appears on the most recent cover of Florida Tennis with Little Mo champion Vlada Hrancher. From coaching Venus and Serena Williams to countless other young talents, he continues to learn as much as he teaches. “Any great coach will tell you they learn more from their students than the students learn from them,” he shared. “They’re kids first, and that’s what I remind parents all the time. At ten or twelve, what would you have done? It helps everyone take a deep breath.”

With his trademark enthusiasm, Macci stressed that coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. “It’s about taking the temperature with each kid,” he explained. “You can’t just go through the front door every time. Sometimes you go through the chimney. That’s the art of coaching—figuring out what works for each individual.”

Above: Vlada Hrancher and Rick Macci at the Little Mo Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Photo courtesy of MCB Tennis. Photo credit: YourGameFace.

Macci’s ability to inspire isn’t just limited to the tennis court. He was recently portrayed by actor Jon Bernthal in a Hollywood blockbuster. Reflecting on the impact of the movie King Richard, he said, “It was beyond epic. It wasn’t just about tennis. It was about fatherhood, love, and inspiration. The story of Venus and Serena proves that with hard work and belief, anything is possible.”

For Macci, tennis is more than a sport — it delivers life lessons. “I’m more of a life coach than a tennis coach,” he admitted. “Not every kid is going to play pro tennis or even college tennis. But if I can help them study better, treat people better, or just see life through a different lens, then I’ve done my job.”

Macci’s shared a bit about his life story as well. “I was a great golfer when I was ten, but my father passed away that year. At twelve, I picked up a racket and hit against a wall. The wall’s undefeated—it always came back! I loved it because where there’s a wall, there’s a way.” 

“People ask about my story all the time, and it’s wild to think about,” he said. “At 18, I was a top junior player, but I knew I wasn’t going to make it on the pro tour. At 22, I started teaching, and I haven’t looked back. At nearly 70, I have as much passion for the game as I did when I started.” 

Above: Rick Macci at the Little Mo Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Photo courtesy of MCB Tennis. Photo credit: YourGameFace.

Macci’s next chapter promises to be just as exciting. “We’re working on a TV show called The Phenom Maker,” he revealed. “It’s going to be about the journey—the good, the bad, the ugly. It’s not just tennis; it’s about the struggle, sacrifice, and hard work that go into becoming the best. Venus and Serena are on board, and it’s going to be beyond epic.”

Even with the TV project, Macci remains committed to being on the court. “I don’t know when I’ll find the time to film it. We might be shooting in the middle of the night!” he joked. But his excitement was palpable. “This show will inspire people and show what it truly takes to reach the top.”

As the interview wound down, Macci's energy remained electric. “These people love tennis,” he said with a grin. “But more than that, they love what tennis can teach them about life.” Macci’s passion, wisdom, and boundless energy continue to make him a force in the sport.

“The best feeling in the world is knowing you’ve made a difference.” And for Rick Macci, the difference he’s made is undeniable.

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Interview by Dave "Koz" Kozlowski. Video: Inside Tennis with the Koz. Article by Matt Pressman. Photos courtesy of MCB Tennis. Photo credits: YourGameFace.