Williams is the oldest of five children[3] and the only son of Julia Mae (née Metcalf) and Richard Dove Williams of Shreveport, Louisiana. His younger sisters are Pat, Barbara, Penny, and Faye.[1] After graduating from high school he moved to Saginaw, Michigan[3] and then to California.[4]
Williams took tennis lessons from a man known as "Old Whiskey" and decided his future daughters would be tennis professionals after seeing Virginia Ruzici playing on television.[2][5] Williams said that he wrote up an 85-page plan and started giving lessons to Venus and Serena when they were four and a half, taking them to practice on public tennis courts.[6] Williams later added that he felt he took them too early and age six would have been more suitable.[4] In 1995, Williams withdrew his daughters from a tennis academy and coached them himself.[7] Within a few years, they were winning grand slam tournaments.
Serena won the US Open in 1999 and Venus beat Lindsay Davenport to win the 2000 Wimbledon title. After that victory, Richard shouted "Straight Outta Compton!", in reference to a song by N.W.A based in Compton, California, the same area in Los Angeles where the family once resided.[8] He jumped over the NBC broadcasting booth, catching Chris Evert by surprise and performing a triumphant dance. Evert said that the broadcasters "thought the roof was coming down".[8]
Personal lifeEdit
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to a family of sharecroppers, Richard Williams had childhood experiences with racism.[9] He has been open about his difficult childhood and experiences with racism and has credited his faith as a source of strength throughout each season of his life. Williams has been married three times and has nine children.[citation needed]
Prior to meeting his future wife Oracene Price in the 1970s, Williams moved to Saginaw, Michigan, then California, and met his first wife Betty Johnson. Johnson and Williams married in 1965 and had five children, three sons and two daughters: Sabrina, Richard III, Ronner, Reluss, and Reneeka, who were raised alongside Betty's other daughter, Katrina.[2] Williams and Johnson divorced in 1973.
In 1979, he met Oracene "Brandy" Price, who had three daughters from a previous relationship in California, and they married in 1980. They had two daughters, Venus (born June 17, 1980) and Serena (born September 26, 1981), both of whom would become tennis champions. The family resided in Compton, California. Williams and Oracene divorced in 2002.
Williams then met grocery store owner Lakeisha Juanita Graham, and they married in 2010.[10][4] They have a son.[11] They divorced in 2017.[12][10]
Williams has a son, Chavoita, from a relationship outside his marriages.[12]
In his most recent years, Williams has accomplished much and overcome health struggles. He authored two books: "Black and White: The Way I See It", a memoir published in 2014, and "Richard Williams: Tennis and Race in the United States", a study of race and tennis that was published in 2020. He has also been the subject of several documentaries and has been featured in various media outlets. However, in July 2016, Williams suffered a stroke. At the time his then-wife, Lakeisha Williams, stated that his condition was stable.[13] In 2022, Williams was reported to have had two strokes.[12][14]
In popular cultureEdit
A biographical film, King Richard, starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, was released on November 19, 2021, in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures and streaming on HBO Max.[15] The film was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin. Venus and Serena served as executive producers.
^ abWilliams, Richard (April 20, 2014). "Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, reveals tough childhood that included disguising as a Klansman in 'Black and White: The Way I See It'". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
^ abcWiedeman, Reeves (June 2, 2014). "Tiger Dad: Child's Play". The New Yorker. pp. 24–25.
^Gregory, Sean (November 17, 2021). "What King Richard's Story of an Uncommon Dad Means for the Rest of Us". Time. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
^Lewis, Gabrielle (July 6, 2000). "Paternal instinct". BBC Sport. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
^ abJago, Richard (July 4, 2009). "Richard Williams leaves Venus and Serena to take centre stage". The Guardian. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
^name="reveals tough">Williams, Richard (April 20, 2014). "Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, reveals tough childhood that included disguising as a Klansman in 'Black and White: The Way I See It'". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
^ abKleinberg, Eliot (June 15, 2017). "NEW: Father of Venus, Serena Williams seeks divorce from second wife". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
^Cronin, Matt (October 24, 2012). "Williams Sisters Have New Little Brother". Tennis.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
^ abcMagee, NY (December 19, 2018). "Serena And Venus Williams' Disabled Father Reportedly Needs Son To Interpret As He Battles Ex Wife". blackamericaweb.com. EURWeb.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
^"Wife: Richard Williams had stroke, needs therapy". ESPN.com. July 16, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
^Clarey, Christopher (March 28, 2022). "Will Smith Owned the Williams Sisters' Story Onscreen. Then He Stole Their Moment". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
^"Before Richard Was King…". WLM Tennis. November 20, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
^ABC.com. "Will Smith Wins 2022 Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role in KING RICHARD - Oscars 2022 News". ABC.com. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
^"Winners & Nominees Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
^Lewis, Hilary (February 28, 2022). "SAG Awards: Will Smith Pays Tribute to Venus and Serena Williams' Father in Best Actor Win". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
^[3] Brent Simon, Golden Globe Awards, 9 July 2022.
^"Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, reveals tough childhood that included disguising as Klansman in 'Black and White: The Way I See It". Daily News. April 20, 2014.
External linksEdit
SportsIllustrated.com, about the Indian Wells incident
October 26, 2023
richard, williams, tennis, coach, other, people, named, richard, williams, richard, williams, disambiguation, richard, dove, williams, born, february, 1942, former, american, tennis, coach, father, tennis, players, venus, serena, williams, richard, williamswil. For other people named Richard Williams see Richard Williams disambiguation Richard Dove Williams Jr 1 born February 14 1942 2 is a former American tennis coach and the father of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams Richard WilliamsWilliams at the 2007 Acura ClassicFull nameRichard Dove Williams Jr Born 1942 02 14 February 14 1942 age 81 Shreveport Louisiana U S Coaching career 1994 present Venus Williams Serena WilliamsCoaching achievementsCoachee singles titles total49 V 73 S 122 titles Coachee s doubles titles total21 S V 2 V 5 S 28 titles List of notable tournaments with champion Career Golden Slam Singles Serena 7 Australian Open Serena 3 French Open Serena 12 Wimbledon Williams sisters 8 US Open Williams sisters 2 Olympic Gold Medal Williams sisters 6 WTA Tour Championships Williams sisters 28 WTA Tier I Premier Mandatory Premier 5 Williams sisters Career Golden Slam Doubles Williams sisters 4 Australian Open Williams sisters 2 French Open Williams sisters 5x Wimbledon Williams sisters 2 US Open Williams sisters 3 Olympic Gold MedalFed Cup champions Williams sisters 2 Hopman Cup Serena List of titlesCoaching awards and recordsRecordsVenus Williams Records and achievements Serena Williams Other records and achievements Contents 1 Early life 2 Tennis coaching 3 Personal life 4 In popular culture 5 Books 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditWilliams is the oldest of five children 3 and the only son of Julia Mae nee Metcalf and Richard Dove Williams of Shreveport Louisiana His younger sisters are Pat Barbara Penny and Faye 1 After graduating from high school he moved to Saginaw Michigan 3 and then to California 4 Tennis coaching Edit nbsp Williams with his daughters shortly after Serena Williams victory in the 2012 Wimbledon ChampionshipsWilliams took tennis lessons from a man known as Old Whiskey and decided his future daughters would be tennis professionals after seeing Virginia Ruzici playing on television 2 5 Williams said that he wrote up an 85 page plan and started giving lessons to Venus and Serena when they were four and a half taking them to practice on public tennis courts 6 Williams later added that he felt he took them too early and age six would have been more suitable 4 In 1995 Williams withdrew his daughters from a tennis academy and coached them himself 7 Within a few years they were winning grand slam tournaments Serena won the US Open in 1999 and Venus beat Lindsay Davenport to win the 2000 Wimbledon title After that victory Richard shouted Straight Outta Compton in reference to a song by N W A based in Compton California the same area in Los Angeles where the family once resided 8 He jumped over the NBC broadcasting booth catching Chris Evert by surprise and performing a triumphant dance Evert said that the broadcasters thought the roof was coming down 8 Personal life EditBorn in Shreveport Louisiana to a family of sharecroppers Richard Williams had childhood experiences with racism 9 He has been open about his difficult childhood and experiences with racism and has credited his faith as a source of strength throughout each season of his life Williams has been married three times and has nine children citation needed Prior to meeting his future wife Oracene Price in the 1970s Williams moved to Saginaw Michigan then California and met his first wife Betty Johnson Johnson and Williams married in 1965 and had five children three sons and two daughters Sabrina Richard III Ronner Reluss and Reneeka who were raised alongside Betty s other daughter Katrina 2 Williams and Johnson divorced in 1973 In 1979 he met Oracene Brandy Price who had three daughters from a previous relationship in California and they married in 1980 They had two daughters Venus born June 17 1980 and Serena born September 26 1981 both of whom would become tennis champions The family resided in Compton California Williams and Oracene divorced in 2002 Williams then met grocery store owner Lakeisha Juanita Graham and they married in 2010 10 4 They have a son 11 They divorced in 2017 12 10 Williams has a son Chavoita from a relationship outside his marriages 12 In his most recent years Williams has accomplished much and overcome health struggles He authored two books Black and White The Way I See It a memoir published in 2014 and Richard Williams Tennis and Race in the United States a study of race and tennis that was published in 2020 He has also been the subject of several documentaries and has been featured in various media outlets However in July 2016 Williams suffered a stroke At the time his then wife Lakeisha Williams stated that his condition was stable 13 In 2022 Williams was reported to have had two strokes 12 14 In popular culture EditA biographical film King Richard starring Will Smith as Richard Williams was released on November 19 2021 in theaters by Warner Bros Pictures and streaming on HBO Max 15 The film was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin Venus and Serena served as executive producers Smith received critical acclaim for his performance and won numerous awards including the 2022 Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role 16 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama 17 and the Screen Actor s Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture 18 A documentary film On The Line The Richard Williams Story premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and the 2023 Sheffield DocFest 19 Fremantle company acquired the rights to the film which will be released by Sky UK in the U K and Italy Canal in France M Net in South Africa and Network 10 in Australia 20 The film was directed and produced by Stuart McClave 21 Books EditWith Bart Davis 2014 Black and White The Way I See It New York Atria Books ISBN 978 1476704203 22 References Edit a b Williams Richard Davis Bart 2017 Black and White The Way I See It Simon and Schuster ISBN 9781476704210 via Google Books a b c Edmondson Jacqueline 2005 Venus and Serena Williams A Biography Greenwood Publishing Group p 14 ISBN 0 313 33165 0 a b Williams Richard April 20 2014 Richard Williams father of Venus and Serena reveals tough childhood that included disguising as a Klansman in Black and White The Way I See It New York Daily News Retrieved September 6 2019 a b c Wiedeman Reeves June 2 2014 Tiger Dad Child s Play The New Yorker pp 24 25 Gregory Sean November 17 2021 What King Richard s Story of an Uncommon Dad Means for the Rest of Us Time Retrieved January 25 2022 Lewis Gabrielle July 6 2000 Paternal instinct BBC Sport Retrieved September 7 2016 Edmondson 2005 p p 47 a b Jago Richard July 4 2009 Richard Williams leaves Venus and Serena to take centre stage The Guardian Retrieved September 6 2019 name reveals tough gt Williams Richard April 20 2014 Richard Williams father of Venus and Serena reveals tough childhood that included disguising as a Klansman in Black and White The Way I See It New York Daily News Retrieved September 6 2019 a b Kleinberg Eliot June 15 2017 NEW Father of Venus Serena Williams seeks divorce from second wife The Palm Beach Post Retrieved September 6 2019 Cronin Matt October 24 2012 Williams Sisters Have New Little Brother Tennis com Retrieved September 6 2019 a b c Magee NY December 19 2018 Serena And Venus Williams Disabled Father Reportedly Needs Son To Interpret As He Battles Ex Wife blackamericaweb com EURWeb com Retrieved September 6 2019 Wife Richard Williams had stroke needs therapy ESPN com July 16 2016 Retrieved September 7 2016 Clarey Christopher March 28 2022 Will Smith Owned the Williams Sisters Story Onscreen Then He Stole Their Moment The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved April 4 2022 Before Richard Was King WLM Tennis November 20 2021 Retrieved December 10 2021 ABC com Will Smith Wins 2022 Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role in KING RICHARD Oscars 2022 News ABC com Retrieved March 28 2022 Winners amp Nominees Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama www goldenglobes com Retrieved March 27 2022 Lewis Hilary February 28 2022 SAG Awards Will Smith Pays Tribute to Venus and Serena Williams Father in Best Actor Win The Hollywood Reporter Retrieved March 27 2022 1 Naman Ramachandran Variety 14 June 2023 2 Manori Ravindran Variety 17 July 2023 3 Brent Simon Golden Globe Awards 9 July 2022 Richard Williams father of Venus and Serena reveals tough childhood that included disguising as Klansman in Black and White The Way I See It Daily News April 20 2014 External links EditSportsIllustrated com about the Indian Wells incident Women s tour CEO reacts to Richard Williams remarks on racism Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard Williams tennis coach amp oldid 1176160851, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
