‘Mom Was Always the Spine’ – Venus Williams Once Argued How ‘King’ Richard Stole the Limelight Away From Mother Oracene Price

Serena and Venus Williams are among the greatest players of all time because of many factors. Only having talent cannot get a person to the peak. Having a healthy relationship with people while growing up is also important. And that’s where the Williams sisters lucked out.

They grew up under the wings of Richard Williams and Oracene Price. Their parents not only protected them but also guided them on the right path. Both Richard and Oracene played a vital role in their upbringing. However, the latter’s contribution often gets overshadowed. Therefore, here’s Venus’ confession about how she supported them. 

Venus Williams about the importance of her mother

In 2013, when a documentary encompassing their journey was announced, Venus sat down for an interview. In it, she disclosed how her mother deserves equal credit for their success. She said, if Richard “provided the body of what we did, but Mom was always the spine”. 

Price acted as Serena and Venus’ consistent guiding light. However, after seeing her daughters assert dominance over the sport, she decided to divorce Richard, “having put up with a lot.” She walked out of the over 20-year-long marriage in 2002. 

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The 70-year-old instilled the sense of refusal to take a step back in her daughters. As once, she herself disclosed that they were “to be nobody’s Stepin Fetchit.” Therefore, one should never overlook the importance of her part in the careers of the Williams sisters. 

What is Venus up to these days?

While the 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams hung her racket this season after making a comeback in Wimbledon, Venus is still battling on the tour. The 42-year-old walked out of the singles circuit around London majors last year and rejoined it during this season’s American swing.

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She first tested herself in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon and then enrolled in the hard court-based tournaments. The two-time US Open champion in order to oil her skills for the Grand Slam participated in the Citi Open, the Canadian Open, and the Cincinnati masters. However, she faced opening-round defeat in all the warm-up tournaments and suffered the same fate in the US Open as well. The former World no.1 is still looking for her first win of the season.