Serena Williamsone of the most iconic athletes in the history of tennis, has been awarded the 2025 Princess of Asturias Sports Award, a recognition that celebrates not only her impressive sporting career, but also her influence off the court. The ceremony will take place this October 24, and serves as the perfect moment to reflect on the complex and sometimes controversial relationship that the former tennis player has with her father, Richard Williamsa key piece in his life and that of his sister Venus.
From a very early age, Serena and Venus were under the intense supervision of Richard, a man who turned demand and discipline into tools to forge future champions. As told in the movie King RichardRichard did not hesitate to train them for long hours, in the rain or in the dark, with the conviction of protecting them from the dangers of Compton and preparing their bodies and minds for the elite of world tennis. This extreme harshness, which he vehemently defended –“That’s our job, to keep them off these streets!”– generated criticism from multiple fronts, questioning her ethics and her way of raising her daughters, but Serena has always recognized that those teachings were decisive for her success.
Serena Williams during a conference. (Photo: Gtres)
Richard’s plan was meticulous even before Serena was born: a 78-page document detailed how he would take his daughters to the top of tennis. His control ranged from education to the selection of coaches and the management of each tournament. However, this same control has been a source of tension over the years. Serena has shared that, despite accusations of manipulation and excessive demands, she always understood that her father’s motivation was to protect her and prepare her for a competitive, often hostile and racist world. As she herself has stated, “it was important for us to tell the truth and “The protection that my father had around me… he was my father, he was my mother, he was our family.”
Even so, the relationship has not been without difficult moments. An episode that marked their bond occurred on their wedding day in 2017, when Richard decided not to walk her down the aisle.texting him just an hour before. Serena, with maturity and understanding, decided to walk alone, understanding the health and emotional problems that her father was going through. This episode, far from fracturing their relationship, reflects the complexity and humanity of their bond: a mixture of deep love, demand and, at times, emotional distance.
Richard Williams with a camera. (Photo: Gtres)
Over time, Serena has shown that her father’s influence merged with the spiritual guidance and firmness of her mother, Oracene Price. Together, Richard and Oracene instilled values such as independence, humility and resilience, creating not only champions, but also women capable of leading outside of sport. Serena has been able to transfer these teachings to other facets of her life: motherhood, activism in maternal health and entrepreneurship with Serena Ventures, always highlighting the importance of the authenticity and visibility of African American women in fields traditionally dominated by men.
Despite the conflicts and misunderstandings that may have arisen with his father over the years, Serena maintains a close bond with him today. Proof of this are everyday gestures, such as sharing family moments with his daughter Olympia or posting videos on social networks of Richard interacting with his family, affectionately calling him “dad” and recognizing his role as the GOAT, the best of all time. This mix of respect, admiration and a certain emotional distance characterizes a relationship that, although complicated, has been crucial in forging the tennis player that Serena Williams became: an indomitable athlete, a dedicated mother and an inspiring leader.
