Over the next ten years, Sharapova<\/a> added four further majors to her collection, retiring in 2020 as a five-time champion.<\/p>\n She enjoyed several legendary rivalries throughout her career, although few could compete with her and Serena Williams\u2019<\/a> many battles.<\/p>\n Speaking today, a former coach of both Sharapova and Williams has revealed the biggest difference between the two tennis icons during their junior careers.<\/p>\n Rick Macci says Maria Sharapova was \u2018mentally so special\u2019 as a junior compared to Serena Williams<\/p>\n Sharing his thoughts as he so often does, Rick Macci<\/a> took to X to comment on Sharapova\u2019s strongest attribute during her younger years.<\/p>\n Maria at age 11 was mentally so special. Her focus was like she was in a bubble. Serena age 11 would wave at an airplane going by. Remember it is Junior development not junior final destination. It is not where you start it is where you finish. @MariaSharapova<\/a> @serenawilliams<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 13, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n \u201cMaria [Sharapova] at age 11 was mentally so special,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHer focus was like she was in a bubble.\u201d<\/p>\n The same could not be said for Williams, however, as Macci reveals the 23-time Grand Slam champion struggled to concentrate when she was 11 years old.<\/p>\n \u201cSerena [Williams], age 11, would wave at an airplane going by,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Macci was, however, keen to remind fans that juniors develop at different stages.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember it is Junior development, not junior final destination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not where you start, it is where you finish.\u201d<\/p>\n While Sharapova may have shown more mental strength during her junior career than Williams, it was the American who enjoyed the better career on the WTA Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n Serena Williams \u2013 23 Grand SlamsMaria Sharapova \u2013 5 Grand Slams<\/p>\n Interestingly, their head-to-head record mirrored their development, as Sharapova started strongly, but couldn\u2019t keep up with Williams as the years went by.<\/p>\n Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova\u2019s head-to-head record<\/p>\n After losing their first career meeting at the 2004 Miami Open, Sharapova famously beat Williams<\/a> in the Wimbledon final later that same year.<\/p>\n Securing her second-straight win over Williams, Sharapova defeated her rival in the final of the WTA Finals<\/a> in Turkey, finishing her breakout year on a high note.<\/p>\n Remarkably, that was her last win over the legendary American, as Sharapova proceeded to lose 19 consecutive matches against Williams.<\/p>\n MatchWinnerLoserScore2019 US Open \u2013 1RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-12016 Australian Open \u2013 QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-12015 Wimbledon \u2013 SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-2, 6-42015 Australian Open \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-3, 7-62014 Miami Open \u2013 SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-32014 Brisbane \u2013 SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-2, 7-62013 French Open \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-42013 Madrid Open \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-42013 Miami Open \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova4-6, 6-3, 6-02013 Qatar Open \u2013 SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-3, 6-22012 WTA Finals \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-32012 Olympics \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-0, 6-12012 Madrid Open \u2013 QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-32011 Stanford \u2013 QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-32010 Wimbledon \u2013 4RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova7-6, 6-42008 Charleston \u2013 QFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova7-5, 4-6, 6-12007 Miami Open \u2013 4RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-12007 Australian Open \u2013 FSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-1, 6-22005 Australian Open \u2013 SFSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova2-6, 7-5, 8-62004 WTA Finals \u2013 FMaria SharapovaSerena Williams4-6, 6-2, 6-42004 Wimbledon \u2013 FMaria SharapovaSerena Williams6-1, 6-42004 Miami Open \u2013 4RSerena WilliamsMaria Sharapova6-4, 6-3Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams\u2019 head-to-head record<\/p>\n In just three of those matches did Sharapova manage to take a set off Williams, as the Russian couldn\u2019t work out a way to beat the biggest star in the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n Their final match perfectly summed up their rivalry, as Sharapova won just two games in a straight-sets defeat to Williams at the 2019 US Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n What once promised to be a rivalry for the ages finished with an all too familiar beatdown on Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\n Sharapova never quite reached the heights of Williams during her career, but in fairness, neither did anyone else.<\/p>\n A haul of five Grand Slams and a 21-week stint atop the world rankings was still more than enough for Sharapova to earn herself a place among the greats of the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n ![\"Russia's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-146031280-1024x746.jpg\")
Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD\/AFP\/GettyImages<\/p>\n![\"Maria](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-547652-1024x685.jpg\")
07 Mar 2002 : Maria Sharapova (RUS) during her match against Monica Seles (USA) at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California. Seles defeats Sharapova 6-0, 6-2. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Serena](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1164295817-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n