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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Serena Williams (R) of the USA celebrates with her father Richard Williams after her Ladies’ Singles final match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Serena Williams (R) of the USA celebrates with her father Richard Williams after her Ladies’ Singles final match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Tennis queens Venus and Serena Williams have inspired the world in many ways for more than two decades. Now, the story of the duo’s rise in tennis will hit the cinemas under the title King Richard. Indeed, it begs an intriguing question: Why tell the story through their father? Fascinatingly, the 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has answered the question.
Notably, Richard Williams, father-coach of Venus and Serena, defied improbable odds to push his daughters to the top. Moreover, he had a 75-page manifesto ready even before the two were born. Hence, the biopic film, King Richard, is a tribute to Richard Williams’ determination, courage, discipline, and contribution to the tennis world. Without him, tennis wouldn’t have gotten its two invaluable jewels, Venus and Serena.
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Serena Williams on her father’s biopic, King Richard
For this movie, not only the tennis community but the entire world is waiting. However, many wondered about the role of Richard Williams behind Venus and Serena.
Accordingly, Serena gave the world the answer. “There are so many ways to tell this story. But I think telling it through my dad was the best way because he had the idea. He knew how to do it,” she told Entertainment Weekly.
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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)
Even at 72, Richard Williams goes to practice with Venus every day, which signifies his passion for the sport. Indeed, it was that passion that drove both the Williams sisters to the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
Ultimately, the father-coach not only created two living legends but inspired the next two generations. Some of them even made it to the big stage taking their path as an example.
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Interestingly, Will Smith portrayed Venus and Serena’s on-screen father in the biopic, King Richard. Even he realized many learnings about family and determination through Richard Williams’s life.
Which WTA stars followed the path of Venus and Serena?
Unquestionably, Venus and Serena have inspired millions beyond tennis. However, in this sport, the two laid the foundation for the next generation star Naomi Osaka and the future of tennis Coco Gauff.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Cori Gauff of the United States and Naomi Osaka of Japan speak following their Women’s Singles third round match on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Both Osaka and Gauff have openly lauded the Williams family for their contributions. But these two stars are only a beginning.
Without any doubt, the film King Richard will help create more tennis stars of tomorrow. But above all, it will help relive the legacy of Richard, Venus, and Serena Williams.
How excited are you about this movie?
Watch this story: Serena Williams and Venus Williams Best Moments at the Wimbledon Championships
