MARIA SHARAPOVA had a better maturity and mindset than Serena Williams by the age of just 11, claims former coach Rick Macci.
Macci, 68, worked with both stars during their early years on tour.
Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final
Williams routinely dominated her head-to-head with Sharapova, winning 20 of her 22 meetings with the Russian.
Sharapova won two of their first three clashes, including in the 2004 Wimbledon final aged just 17.
Williams, 41, then went on to win their next 19 meetings in the one-sided rivalry, prior to Sharapova’s retirement in February 2020.
Despite Serena’s incredible dominance, Macci rated Sharapova’s “mindset” more highly.
The well-regarded coach, who was played by actor Jon Bernthal in the biopic film King Richard, tweeted: “@MariaSharapova at age 11 already had laser maturity and that mental box checked.
“Better than Serena Venus and Jennifer (Capriati). God given uncanny ability to be in a quiet bubble and the mindset to forget and lock in lock you out and keep the keys.”
Sharapova enjoyed enormous success, winning five Grand Slams, the Fed Cup and the WTA Finals.
She also earned an Olympic silver medal at London 2012, although she was humiliated 6-0, 6-1 in the gold medal match by Williams.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Serena Williams went on to dominate her rivalry with Sharapova
Sharapova received a 15 month ban in 2016 after testing positive for banned substance meldonium.
She returned to the WTA Tour in April 2017, but would win just one more title before hanging up her racquet three years ago.
The former world No1 met Williams just once after her ban, losing 6-1, 6-1 in round one of the 2019 US Open.
Serena, 41, announced her retirement after last year’s US Open, reaching the third round before losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in her final match.
She finished her career with an incredible tally of 23 Grand Slam titles, as well as a further 16 major doubles successes.
Sporting a new look, meanwhile, Sharapova recently appeared at the Monaco GP.
Sharapova, 36, recently appeared at the Monaco GP
