I feel like I’m being painted as the crazy father, much like Richard Williams on the night of the slap. Will Smith didn’t just go after Chris Rock; he also took a swipe at Serena Williams, who was right there in the crowd. Will blamed his outburst on her father, even though Serena had trusted him to play her dad in King Richard. He ended up betraying her and her family, and I was livid. Serena has had to fight for herself and her family her whole career. Even after winning the tournament, the crowd kept booing her.
Serena has finally reached her breaking point and won’t let Will destroy everything she’s worked for. I’m not afraid to stand up for myself. Richard Williams was known for fiercely protecting his family, and now I feel called to do the same. Life often reflects art. People see me as the unreasonable father, just like Richard Williams. What can you do? Will had a point about Richard’s fierce defense, but he didn’t handle it the right way.
America’s confidence seems so effortless to some. But you need to remember, you’re dealing with the image of a 14-year-old child. This child isn’t going to let your opinions dictate her path. We keep certain things private; it’s best to respect that.
My dad’s strength in standing up for us, especially in such a tough environment, was incredible. He faced a lot of negativity from fans and the media when Serena and Venus were just starting out. I remember Serena, at only 19, winning a championship but being booed off the court. Despite the hostility, my dad showed us how to stand up for ourselves and protect our family.
He always said that winning on the tennis court wasn’t the real victory—true success is about winning in life. Unlike many parents who push for success for their own sake, my dad never wanted us to feel that kind of pressure.
When Serena had her daughter, Olympia, she was overjoyed but also anxious about being a mom. She wondered if she’d be a good or strict mother. What should have been a blissful time turned into a nightmare. During a critical moment, Serena felt she couldn’t breathe and desperately needed help. Despite her fear and pain, she spoke up, knowing her body better than anyone else. Thanks to her self-advocacy, she survived multiple surgeries and a long recovery. On top of that, her tennis ranking dropped dramatically from first to 451st. It was a tough journey, but Serena’s experience was a testament to her resilience and the lessons she learned from her dad.
“Are you enjoying motherhood?”
“I feel like I’m really doing well with it. But in other areas, I’m lost. I don’t always know what to do or why things are happening. Why is she crying?”
A year after Olympia was born, Serena Williams made a stunning comeback to the U.S. Open final. When an umpire made what she thought was an unfair call, she didn’t hold back.
“Coaching warning, Mrs. Williams. I get why you might have thought that was okay, but it’s not. I don’t cheat to win; I’d rather lose. Just so you know.”
She managed to stay composed while standing up for herself, which is incredibly tough and showed a lot of class. But the situation didn’t stop there.
Serena went on, “I don’t cheat. I’ve been cheated in my life. I have a daughter, and I stand by this. It’s the worst card I’ve ever been dealt.”
She added, “All the points are mine. You’re a thief too.”
In the heat of the moment, it’s understandable that emotions run high. But calling the umpire a thief might seem a bit petty. Regardless of how you feel about Serena’s response, the media coverage was relentless. The final turned into a major controversy.
We teach our kids to manage their emotions and move on, and Serena’s reaction was judged through that lens. The backlash quickly turned more intense, with accusations of sexism and a global debate about racism sparked by a controversial cartoon.
“Serena shouldn’t have spoken to the umpire in such an aggressive tone. But a lot of athletes act out daily without facing the same level of criticism.”
A few months after all the drama, while the media was still hounding Serena, someone wanted to celebrate her and her family. Remember when Richard Williams stood up to protect Venus? That moment didn’t just inspire Serena; it also changed how I wanted to raise my own daughter. Richard Williams’s fierce protectiveness and confidence were truly moving.
Now, there’s a biopic coming out with Will Smith playing Richard Williams. “It’s an honor to have Will portray this role for us. This movie is a gift to our family, and I’m thrilled that you appreciate it.”
“King Richard” was a massive hit, and Will Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor. But that night is more infamous for the incident where Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage. While it showed that Smith couldn’t handle a joke, Rock proved he could take a punch. Smith’s reaction was seen as childish and violent, and his son Jaden tweeted, “And that’s how we do it.”
Serena Williams was as stunned as everyone else. Richard Williams commented, “We don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s self-defense.” Serena felt that while verbal abuse might be one thing, Smith’s actions went too far. It had an immediate impact on Smith’s family and sent the wrong message.
A few months after the slap, Serena decided to step away from tennis. Unlike Smith, she handled the moment with dignity. When asked what she wanted to say to her supporters, she responded, “I’m just so grateful to every single person that’s ever said ‘Go Serena’ in their life.”
Serena then channeled her energy into a new business aimed at empowering others, just as her father had empowered her. She wanted to be a strong role model for her daughter and support women, especially women of color, in finding opportunities. “It’s important to lift up women and lead by example,” Serena said. “In a world where opportunities can be scarce, especially for women of color, it’s crucial to take the initiative. I want to teach my daughter to seize opportunities rather than wait for them.”
