10/13/2025
🎾 The man who wrote his daughters’ destiny… before they were even born.
In 1980, Richard Williams turned on the TV and saw a Romanian tennis player receive a $40,000 check for winning a tournament.
It was more than he made in an entire year — and that moment changed his life.
He turned off the TV, grabbed a notebook, and began writing a 78-page plan.
His goal:
That his future daughters — who didn’t even exist yet — would one day conquer the world of tennis.
There was just one small problem…
Richard knew nothing about tennis, lived in Compton, California, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America, and had no money.
For five years, he studied magazines, videotapes, and learned the game himself.
Then he placed a racket in the hands of Venus and Serena — and the plan began to move.
He collected used tennis balls from country clubs.
Trained his daughters on public courts.
Fought off gangs that harassed them.
One day, for refusing to leave the court, he was beaten so badly they broke his nose, jaw, fingers, and knocked out his teeth.
He later wrote in his journal:
“History will remember the toothless man as a monument to courage.”
In a sport that was white, elite, and closed off, a Black family stood out — and was often met with disdain.
“Daddy, why are they staring at us?” the girls once asked.
Richard smiled and said,
“Because they’re not used to seeing people this beautiful.”
Years later, the world watched as Venus Williams walked onto the grass at Wimbledon, 2000.
Tall. Powerful. Fearless.
Her father watching from the stands, tears in his eyes, dancing with pride.
Venus won her first Grand Slam.
And soon after, Serena rose to become one of the greatest athletes in history — with 23 Grand Slam titles and a legacy that forever transformed the game.
But beyond trophies and fame, they endured ridicule, racism, and relentless criticism.
Their father had taught them the greatest lesson of all:
“The best revenge is your performance.”
Richard once said,
“One day we’ll win Wimbledon — not for us, but for the poor and the powerless of America.”
And they did.
Today, millions of girls — and boys — know that anything is possible,
because one father dared to dream for them before they could dream for themselves. 💫