Venus Williams has made quite an impression on the tennis scene recently.
At 45, she’s become the oldest competitor at the tournament in four decades, spending three weeks on the court and taking down opponents who are often half her age.
What’s the key to coaching a superstar like her? According to her coach, Diego Ayala, it’s about letting her take charge—but also knowing when to suggest she ease up a bit.
Ayala emphasized that coaching a player of Venus’s caliber involves understanding her needs and looking for ways to leverage her strengths.
The two began working together in June, and Williams soon made headlines as the second oldest player in a WTA Tour level match this past July.
When she hit the US Open last month, she became the oldest singles player there since 1981, only behind Renee Richards, who was 47 back then.
At her age, Williams is nearly twice as old as many of her competitors, and statistics show that the average age for top players hovers around 25 to 28 years old.
Her training routine is adjusted accordingly. Williams typically spends around three hours a day on the court, focusing on drills and recovery rather than extensive exertion.
“Sometimes I have to tell her, ‘Let’s take it a bit easier today. You’ve been going hard for days in a row!’ I have to hold her back sometimes,” Ayala shared.
While Ayala claims there isn’t a “secret formula” for Williams’s success, he believes their strong partnership has had a significant impact.
Both are well-known in the tennis world, especially since Venus and her sister Serena have dominated for years.
“It felt a bit odd at first, but I think it actually helped us connect better as we share similar backgrounds. We get each other’s jokes and perspectives,” Ayala remarked.
“If she knows her strengths and recognizes when to push, I’ll definitely be there to support her,” he added.
He noted her unwavering drive for improvement is something he wants to harness to help her refine her skills.
After her loss on Tuesday, Ayala mentioned she was handling it well, and both left the court with “no regrets.”
“One of her main goals for the Open was to really enjoy the experience and face challenges head-on—and she did so with a smile,” he said.
