Since stepping away from professional tennis in 2022, Serena Williams has embraced her most important role yet-motherhood. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has been open about her journey, often expressing how much she loves being a mom. Recently, she shared how her father, Richard Williams, shaped her parenting style in ways she never expected.
During a conversation on Dinner with Gavin Rossdale, Williams made a powerful statement about her new identity.
A new purpose beyond tennis
“I was definitely born to be a mom. If you thought I was born to be a tennis player, I was born to be a mom,” she said.
Williams has always credited her father for shaping her career, but now she sees his influence in a different light. Reflecting on her childhood, she acknowledged how his methods, sometimes strict, sometimes unconventional, left a lasting impact.
“I really believe in communicating in a loving way. I don’t know, I’m just like, completely different from my parents,” she admitted. However, one childhood habit her father instilled in her has found its way into her parenting.
The unexpected lessons from King Richard
Richard Williams was known for his unorthodox training methods, but one stood out to Serena as she raised her daughter, Olympia.
“When I was growing up, my dad always made us listen to songs in the car. Not all the time, but sometimes we would listen to learning songs, like math songs,” she recalled.
That simple routine became a full-circle moment for her. “Looking back, I had this math song that I wanted to play for Olympia when she was younger. And I was like, ‘Oh my god! I’m just like my dad.'”
Beyond parenting, Williams also credits her father for teaching her financial discipline. In a previous interview with Bloomberg, she shared how Richard made her sit through contract negotiations as a teenager. “I’m 16, my dad is negotiating, they’re going back and forth, and he wants me there the whole time to make sure I know what to do in the future,” she said.
A legacy that goes beyond the court
Serena Williams continues to build a life beyond tennis, proving that her impact extends far beyond the sport. While she may no longer dominate on the court, she is determined to be the best at something else, being a mother.
Read the full article here
