“Monica Seles but with a better serve” – Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci heaps praise on Lulu Sun after magical Wimbledon QF run

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci heaped praise on Lulu Sun, the qualifier who stormed into the quarterfinal at Wimbledon 2024. Macci compared her playing style with Monica Seles' grasscourt game.

Sun defeated home favorite Emma Raducanu to book a place in the quarterfinals. The Kiwi lit up the Centre Court as she hit 52 winners against Raducanu's 19 to win the match 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. She had won against Miriam Bulgaru, Gabriela Knutson (saved match point), and Alex Eala in the qualifiers to make her second main draw appearance at a Grand Slam.

Sun defeated eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in the first round, Yulia Starodubtsewa in the second, and Zhu Lin in the third before knocking out Raducanu.

Sun's magical run at Wimbledon has drawn the spotlight. Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci praised Sun and recounted an incident from when she was 11 years old. Macci revealed that he had told Sun's stepfather that she had a grass game similar to that of Monica Seles. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"I always told her stepdad her game on grass is kind of like Seles but with a better serve. A Lefty with wicked angles hugging the baseline taking everything on the Rise with ATP surgically taught strokes from age 11 and BANG now the SUN Rises and shines bright. @lulusun."

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Lulu Sun emotional after upsetting Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon

Lulu Sun at Wimbledon 2024 (Source: GETTY)

Lulu Sun was overwhelmed with emotions during the on-court interview after stunning Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon 2024. She praised Raducanu for putting on a show.

"It was a great match against [Emma Raducanu], and, she really dug deep in there. For me to get the win, you know, I really had to fight to the nail against her because she's obviously gonna run for every ball and and fight until the end," Sun said.

Sun choked on her words as she stopped mid-sentence to gather herself and said that she was out of words.

"So I'm just incredibly ... I don't even have the words right now but I'm just..." she said.

The Kiwi also talked about the experience of playing on Centre Court, stating that it was an amazing experience for her.

"Well, while walking through the... towards the Centre Court, I was like, wow, I've never seen these halls and I was just like looking around and taking it all in. Playing her for the first time, I'm just super happy, and to be able to play on this court against... in front of all of you, it's just such an amazing experience for me," she said.

Lulu Sun will take on Donna Vekic in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2024.