Richard Dove Williams Jr. is an American former tennis coach and father of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.
He is considered to have had a major influence on his daughters’ tennis career success by providing them with early training and support.
Williams Jr. also coached many other young tennis players in the Compton, California community and was recognized for his contributions to the sport.
File
- Full name: Richard Dove Williams Jr.
- Stage Name: Richard Williams
- Date of birth: February 14, 1942
- Age: 82 years old
- Place of birth: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: American Coach
- Height: 5’9″
- Parents: Julia Mae (née Metcalf) and Richard Dove Williams
- Siblings: Pat Williams, Barbara Williams, Penny Williams and Faye Williams
- Spouse: Lakeisha Graham (married 2010–2017), Oracene Price (married 1980–2002), Betty Johnson (married 1965–1973)
- Children: Sabrina Williams, Richard III Williams, Ronner Williams, Reluss Williams, Reneeka Williams, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Chavoita LeSane and Dylan Starr Williams
- Relationship status: Divorced
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life and education
Richard Dove Williams Jr. was born on February 14, 1942, in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. He is the only son of Julia Mae (née Metcalf) and Richard Dove Williams, and he grew up with five siblings: Pat, Barbara, Penny, and Faye.
After completing high school, he moved to Saginaw, Michigan and then to California.
Career
Richard Williams is a legendary tennis coach best known for coaching his two daughters, Venus and Serena Williams, to become two of the greatest tennis players of all time.
His journey began when he saw Virginia Ruzici win a tournament on TV, inspiring him to turn his daughters into tennis champions. He began coaching them on public courts when they were just four and a half years old.
Despite facing many challenges and obstacles, Richard’s dedication and belief in his daughters helped them rise to the top of the tennis world.
After facing criticism and backlash for taking his daughters away from a prestigious tennis academy, Richard took it upon himself to train his children.
This unconventional approach has paid off, with both Venus and Serena achieving considerable success. They have a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles, with Serena winning her first US Open title in 1999 and Venus winning Wimbledon in 2000.
Thanks to Richard’s guidance and determination, his two daughters became two of the most successful and recognized tennis players in history.
Personal life
Richard Dove Williams Jr. had a complicated personal life, which included three marriages and a total of nine children. His first marriage was to Betty Johnson from 1965 to 1973, with whom he had five children.
He then married Oracene Price in 1980 and they had two daughters together, Venus and Serena Williams. Oracene also has three daughters from a previous relationship.
Richard’s third marriage was to Lakeisha Juanita Graham from 2010 to 2017, with whom he had a son. He also has a son, Chavoita LeSane, from another relationship. In 2016, Richard suffered multiple strokes.
Net asset value
Richard Dove Williams Jr. has a net worth of $10 million. He is best known as the father and coach of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams.
He is also the author of the book Black and White: How I See Itdiscusses the experience of raising two of the world’s greatest athletes.
