Dedric
Jul 7 2007, 03:55 PM
Say what you will about Venus and Serena, but you can almost be sure that it will be one of the two to make it to at least the quarterfinals of a big tournament and they don't even play that much tennis.
What will happen to tennis in the US when Venus and Serena retire?
As crazy and senile as Richard Williams seems to have become, it might not be too ridiculous to think that maybe other players from the US should consider using him as a coach, or at least try to employ some of his coaching techniques or tactics.
Perhaps some of the up and coming young African American players like Angela Haynes, Jamea Jackson, Shenay Perry, Scovile Jenkins, and Donald Yound could benefit from what Richard Williams has to say.
Why not have Richard Williams coach other young players from the US like Vania King or Sam Querey?
More established players like James Blake, Robby Ginepri, and maybe even Andy Roddick might improve their game if Richard Williams was coaching them.
At this point, what would these players have to lose by using him as coach?
Maybe Richard Williams should coach players from other countries like Gael Monfils or even Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? Gael Monfils is physically a male version of Venus, so why wouldn't he improve his game if he consulted with Richard Williams?
Richard Williams as a coach for other players might not work out, but I think that it is worth a try. Most of the previously mentioned players probably wouldn't do any worse than they already have.
mdterp01
Jul 10 2007, 03:50 PM
The man certainly has done something right to raise two girls who have a combined 14 grand slam titles and significant grand slam doubles titles. I know I'd probably want to have a conversation or two with him. I wouldn't care what he said off the court. Just help me improve my tennis. The thing about Venus and Serena though is that they are exceptional athletes. They have attributes that many of the other players simply don't have that are their natural gifts. So I think that is a big part of why Venus and Serena can just show up at times and storm through a championship.
Two-hander
Jul 10 2007, 04:03 PM
QUOTE(mdterp01 @ Jul 10 2007, 08:50 PM)

The man certainly has done something right to raise two girls who have a combined 14 grand slam titles and significant grand slam doubles titles. I know I'd probably want to have a conversation or two with him. I wouldn't care what he said off the court. Just help me improve my tennis. The thing about Venus and Serena though is that they are exceptional athletes. They have attributes that many of the other players simply don't have that are their natural gifts. So I think that is a big part of why Venus and Serena can just show up at times and storm through a championship.
Definitely agreed, about both Richard's skills at teaching tennis and Venus and Serena's at playing and competing. Most of the current American players after Venus and Serena are too far along for him to have a huge impact on their game. A lot of what he taught Venus and Serena is fundamental, and it would be tough for Shenay Perry to switch to power.
It's hard to say what would kickstart women's tennis in the US and bring something like the next Williams sisters.
George Twins fan
Jul 10 2007, 04:24 PM
While I am hugely impressed with what Richard has done with his daughters, I'm not sure there are too many parents lining up to turn their kids over to him.
kick
Jul 10 2007, 06:02 PM
IThere is no way that Richard Williams would have any benefit or influence on the actual physical tennis game that anyone beyond 12-Under would benefit from.
The actual technical aspects of Serena and Venus are relatively flawed. Basically their athleticism and repetition assisted them moreso than actual technique provided to them. I am gathering that the majority of their practices have been hit it hard, hit it here with corrections only when they weren't hitting near those spots. Richard brought in others, I assume, to assist with technique with serve, volley when the girls showed such a strong potential for excelling in tennis.
Not to say that he doesn't have any business or mental benefits for some of these other players- but how could you consider mentioning that some of these quite strongly technical players would benefit from his coaching their games really does not hold strong merit. Especially when technically his daughters on several shots (especially Venus) are quite imperfect.
The sisters are terrific because they are amazing athletes and grew into these techniques. This could be one of the reasons they are actually injured so frequently as well. Hitches in their shots leading to strains, sprains, etc.
kiperoni
Jul 10 2007, 08:29 PM
I agree that Richard brought in others to work with the girls on serve, groundstrokes etc. It's a known fact that they did spend some time at Rick Macis's academy as well as Boletteri "Assembly line" Academy
Two-hander
Jul 11 2007, 12:55 PM
Like it or not, Richard is clearly still a big influence on Venus's game and overall outlook. Their bond helped yield another Wimbledon win this year. In recent times, it's Serena who has openly ventured outside the fold more.
No doubt Richard Williams isn't the only person to have worked with them on these flawed games that yield so many slams. He has worked with them more than a parent like Yuri Sharapov has worked with his daughter, though. The strictly tennis academy approach isn't proving any better when it comes to technique. Maria Sharapova seems to be battling chronic injury even more than the sisters, and her technique is yielding even more hitches and quirks with time. Nicole Vaidisova is in a holding pattern.
Dedric began by acknowledging that Richard can be pretty damn crazy. At this stage, I don't know if Richard is the answer as a coach for other players of any age. But his work on the fundamentals of tennis with Venus and Serena, and the winner's attitudes he instilled, is admirable. The tennis academies wouldn't have been interested otherwise.
Both with the Williams' and Chris Evert, the most sublime US women's tennis has had that kind of family bond at its core.
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