‘Don’t Want a Couple of Gum-Chewing Illiterates’- ‘King’ Richard Once Made an Absurd Road Map for Venus and Serena Williams Regarding Grandchildren

As is known by many, every step taken by Venus and Serena Williams, at least till reaching the peaks of their tennis careers, was planned by their father, Richard Williams. Having a diary and a pen with him, Richard reportedly wrote almost the entire road map of his two daughters. While many think that his road map largely revolved around tennis, that wasn’t the case.

Going back in time, in 1997, in an interview with the New York Times, Richard opened up about his plans for Venus and Serena outside tennis. Despite being a regular interview, the plan came to light, as it also had the grandchildren of the two tennis legends.

Richard Williams emphasizes the importance of education

Going back in time. Venus Williams made her debut at just 14 years of age at the Bank of the West Classic. Being in a strong position since the start of her career, she won her first major at the age of 17 at the 1998 Australian Open. Teaming up with Justin Gimelstob, Venus clinched the mixed doubles title.

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Going ahead, she won her first women’s doubles at the age of 18 and the singles title at 19. While the stat might look appreciable to many, not many know that 19 was the age set by her father Richard as the retirement age. Revealing his road map for his daughters, Richard started by saying, “I prefer retirement at 19, but Venus says: “No, Daddy, 23, 24”.

The Williams sisters today enjoy the title of being two of the most prominent sports personalities in history. However, the mega aura of the two didn’t stop Richard from emphasizing the importance of education. Even though Venus and Serena became dominant players in a very short span of time, Richard, in his plan, made sure to send them to college.

Elaborating on the plan after retirement, Richard continued, “They should spend the first six months of the year travelling round the world, and then go full-time to college.”

The plan after college for Venus and Serena Williams

As mentioned earlier, a major part of Venus and Serena’s lives was already planned by Richard. After tennis and college, the next thing Richard focused on was the mode of income for the two. In other words, setting up their own businesses. “By 26, [they] can start setting businesses up.”

Standing up to their father’s expectations, the two today own a number of companies. While Venus has her own clothing line ‘Eleven by Venus’, Serena, on the other hand, has stepped into a varied business like venture capital, jewelry, clothing line, etc.

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Last but not least, speaking of his wish to be a grandfather, Richard Williams made a mention of his plan for the Williams sisters after the two had achieved everything. Reaching the final stages of his plan, the Guardian reported him saying, ‘By 35 they could be producing grandchildren for him, new prodigies. “When they’ve finished their tennis careers, I don’t want a couple of gum-chewing illiterates on my hands.”

Similar to these, Richard also made a number of other plans for his daughters. Not to mention, standing up to those plans, Venus and Serena Williams, today, are two of the most celebrated tennis players of all time. Needless to say, going a step further from their father’s plan, the two continue to play even in their 40s.