![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201231132331/GettyImages-88028866.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
PARIS – MAY 28: Serena Williams of the USA trains as her father Richard Williams looks on during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201231132331/GettyImages-88028866.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
PARIS – MAY 28: Serena Williams of the USA trains as her father Richard Williams looks on during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The world has always found it hard to ignore the legendary career of Serena Williams. The former pro tackled through some of the most intense competitors to pave her way to the top rank along with achieving a mark of the greatest player the WTA has ever seen. Although she flourished through the support of renowned coaches like Patrick Mouratoglou, none of them seemed to have a better track of Serena’s potential than her dad and childhood coach King Richard.
It has been nearly two years since the emotional ceremony in which the world collectively bid farewell to Serena Williams. While most recent updates are usually about her business interactions, a video recently surfaced on social media, reminding fans of her tennis potential. The clip featured King Richard Williams, the father of tennis legend Serena Williams, expressing undeniable confidence in his daughter’s abilities.
“Today is going to be a big day! So we’re gonna go out and do our very best. And, she don’t have to play her best to win! All she has to do is play her 70%,” he can be heard saying in the clip, as the scene points to a mental preparation session before a crucial showdown.
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This is the kind of cockiness in sports that raised me. pic.twitter.com/0eg3UKTJKh
— Quenchi (@QueRedux) July 20, 2024
Even Serena replicated her father’s sentiments, saying, “If I play 70% against most of the players on the WTA tour, I will win!” This glimpse into their dynamic highlighted the immense confidence King Richard had in Serena from an early age.
Richard Williams played an important role in Serena’s career, that received a head-start with the guidance from him. He also developed her powerful playing style, focusing mainly on strong serves and aggressive groundstrokes.
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Serena herself marked several moments where she socially opened up about the efforts of her father. “My dad was the one who started me in tennis, and he’s the one who taught me everything I know… He’s the reason I am who I am today,” she said. This quote makes it clear how King Richard’s support shaped Serena into one of the greatest tennis players of all time. However, it wasn’t just her father who believed that she was far better than all her rivals.
What’s your perspective on:
Did Richard Williams' confidence in Serena shape her into the GOAT, or was it all her own doing?
Have an interesting take?
Coco Gauff walks in with no hesitation to present Serena Williams with the GOAT crown
Tennis history has marked several instances where players and analysts came forward to declare Serena Williams as the best, not just among her own competitors but in history. WTA star Coco Gauff, although turning pro after a longer time than Serena’s era, opened up about how the former pro is a player like never before.
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“I think it’s hard to dominate for generations. She showed that, and that’s why, for me, she’s always going to be considered the G.O.A.T. She didn’t dominate for one generation. She didn’t dominate for two generations. She dominated for three-plus generations. I don’t think anybody else did that,” she said.
Although there’s no chance to see her dominate the courts once again, Gauff highlighted how she’s spreading her magic to a different domain now. “She’s in the fashion world. I saw her model, walk the runway of a show. We’re going to see a lot of Serena later on,” the 20-year-old added. It has been a while since Richard and Serena together used to dominate the rivals. Although the golden era is long gone, it still remains afresh in the history books.
Debate
Did Richard Williams' confidence in Serena shape her into the GOAT, or was it all her own doing?