Home

Tennis

‘Too Young to Be a Business’- ‘King’ Richard’s Bold Move to Reject Million-Dollar Deal Paved the Way to Serena Williams’ Thumping $250 Million Net-Worth Today

Published 09/04/2022, 9:10 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Getty

Venus and Serena Williams are one of the most skilled and successful professionals in WTA. In fact, they are amongst the best players tennis has ever seen. Of course, their hard work and talent have weighed in majorly in making them what they are today. Though apart from that, there are other factors that must be given equal credit.

Williams sisters’ father Richard Williams’ protective nature and wise decisions guarded them against traps. Unlike every other aspiring player of that time, Williams didn’t throw his daughters into the rat race. Neither did he let agencies take advantage of them. Speaking of which, here’s a clip from when Richard explained why he didn’t accept the offers his teenage girls received.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Richard safeguarding Venus and Serena Williams’ future

While addressing a media house, Richard spoke about knowing the talent Serena harbored and how others’ interference would affect her it. “If we accept the millions of dollars people are offering us, we won’t have the girls no more. We have a business and they are too young to be a business,” he said.

via Imago

Thereafter he added, “By the time Serena is 13-year-old she will probably be the No.1 junior player in America and that’s gonna bring in a lot of pressure. Ten times more pressure than we have now.” Venus debuted in 1994 and a year after Serena also joined the WTA tours. Following that, the duo dominated and ruled the courts for years.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

‘Despite People’s Hatred…’- Serena Williams’ Never-Say-Die Attitude for 27 Years Straight Impressed a Renowned American Media Personality

Venus touched the ranking of World No.1 in 2002 and has a total of 49 singles and 22 doubles titles under her name. Out of which seven are singles and 14 are doubles Grand Slam trophies.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Speaking of Serena, she has held the ranking of World No.1 five times and has claimed 23 singles Grand Slam titles. Further, both sisters have brought three doubles and two singles Olympic gold medals to America.

Playing together one last time

The legendary Serena Williams made up her mind to hang her racket post the US Open. Amidst the many things she wanted to do in order to leave the sport with no regrets, teaming up with sister Venus was a top priority.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story: Will Smith Shows How King Richard Cast Trained Like Serena and Venus Williams

They last paired for the Grand Slam of grass in 2016 and, owing to the tremendous coordination and supreme form, they claimed the title. Though this time, both Serena and Venus were not so much in touch with their game and failed to even survive the first round. The Czechs Linda Nosková and Lucie Hradecká got the better of the American duo in straight sets of 7-6 (5) 6-4.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Mahima Verma

1,034Articles

One take at a time

Mahima Verma is a Tennis writer for EssentiallySports. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management from IHM Mumbai. A sports enthusiast, particularly Tennis since her childhood, Mahima believes that she is fortunate enough to witness the legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams play.
Show More>

Edited by:

Jito Tenson