With fame and respect like that of tennis professional Serena Williams, there’s always more than one contributing factor toward their success, and are often assisted majorly in reaching such applaudable milestones.
The former world No. 1, who was coached by her father and veteran tennis personality Richard Williams, stepped out of a small town in the US into becoming one of the most promising athletes of all time with some even labeling the American as the GOAT.
Numerous undisclosed facts about Williams’ life were graphically revealed in 2021 when a biopic on her father Richard starring American actor Will Smith named ‘King Richard‘ hit the big screens. Following its release, fans learned more about Serena’s mother, who despite her efforts toward her daughters never received the spotlight like her husband.
Serena Williams’ mother Oracene Price played a key role in shaping her daughter’s tennis career at a time when they could only afford to get her elder sister Venus Williams the professional training she required.
Oracene, even on rainy days, would practice playing tennis late at night with Serena and also managed to oversee all her children, including the ones she had from her previous marriage. The Michigan-born before tying the knot with Richard was married to Yusef Rasheed from a young age and welcomed the birth of three daughters with him before his untimely passing.
The self-taught tennis coach despite being overshadowed by Richard Williams in the elevating of their daughter Serena Williams’ court dominance, solely learned about the sport to help Serena out with the technical aspects of the game and assist her in becoming a bona fide winner.
Although the relationship between the mother and her daughter remains significantly loving and caring to date, Oracene’s matrimony with Richard Williams after years of hitting bumpy roads, could not hold itself out.
Serena Williams’ parents Oracene Price and Richard Williams got divorced in 2002
In the biopic ‘King Richard’ the relationship between Oracene Price and her ex-husband Richard was always portrayed as somewhat tainted and it was clear that their union wasn’t one like a holy matrimonial. There were notable differences between the pair which often led them to drive decisions poles apart.
According to credible sources, Oracene Price and her ex-husband Richard Williams were living separately since 2000 and ultimately divorced one another in 2002 due to irreconcilable differences which led the duo to drift apart from one another.