Published WWLTV.com
July 2009

An unbelievable win.

That's how New Orleans fitness trainer Mackie Shilstone describes the win Saturday for Serena Williams, whose training with Shilstone helped her earn her third Wimbledon title, by defeating her sister Venus.

"It was a huge win for Serena because she was the decided underdog," Shilstone said in a phone interview from Wimbledon with Eyewitness News Saturday morning.

"Last night I told her, 'It starts with your heart, and ends with your destiny,'" he said. "I told her, 'You've won it, now you have to see, you have to go out and do it.'"

Shilstone, who has worked with Major League Baseball, NFL, NHL and NBA players, as well as professional boxers Riddick Bowe, Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins, began training Serena Williams 15 months ago.

The training, which included time spent in New Orleans, at Shilstone's Fitness Principle program through East Jefferson General Hospital, appeared to have paid off, with Williams winning the Australian Open, her 10th Grand Slam singles title and making it into the quarterfinals of the French Open.

(L-R) Sasha Bajin, hitting partner, tennis great Serena Williams, and Mackie

Shilstone said the preparations continued right up until Williams' match with her equally-impressive sister Venus, the fourth all-Williams final at Wimbledon.

"Serena and I were doing 25-yard sprints right before Wimbledon, to prepare for what we knew was going to be a tough match," Shilstone said Saturday. "When she won, in the locker room she said, 'You know, Mackie, I never thought those 25-yard sprints would pay off.'"

Shilstone was preparing to watch the Williams sisters team up for their doubles final against Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs of Australia. Venus and Serena are seeking their fourth Wimbledon doubles title and 10th Grand Slam crown.

"Serena told me, 'I'm not even tired. I'm ready to play right now,'" Shilstone said.

Shilstone, who traveled to Wimbledon with his wife and sons, watched Saturday's championship from the Williams' family box. The excitement and emotion were clear in his voice during a phone interview.

"I've been through some of the greatest sports events that anybody could go through, but to be here, to be part of it at 58 years of age and live through it, this is one for the memories."