Richard Williams, the father and trainer of tennis siblings Venus and Serena, has filed for divorce from his wife of 23 years, Oracene. The couple have called it quits for good after an 18-month separation, leaving up to $300 million in assets to be divided.
In a statement released this week, the mother of the world's number one and two ranked players said she had been open with the young stars and their three sisters about the end of the marriage. "I was very honest with our children that a reconciliation would not happen," said Oracene. "They've accepted our divorce and love us, as we both love them."
Venus and Serena's tennis coach dad has been widely credited with his daughters' unbelievable success, which began when Venus started training on the courts of Los Angeles' notoriously rough East Compton park, aged four. A high-profile, image-conscious father, he's also been a somewhat controversial figure in tennis circles, having been accused of orchestrating his kids' careers to maximise their collective financial potential and titles.
Oracene says she and her husband will continue to put their children first despite the break-up. "Richard and I will continue to work together for the good of our girls," she says, "and I truly wish him well."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
