Role and Significance of Oracene Price in Pushing the Career of Venus and Serena Williams

Oracene Price, widely recognized as the mother and coach of tennis sensations Venus and Serena Williams, has also garnered acclaim in her own right. Not only known for her familial ties and previous marriage to tennis coach Richard Williams, Oracene has established a reputation for her serene and steadfast demeanor, earning admiration from many. She is often hailed as a pivotal character behind her daughters’ tennis careers, having inspired them to pursue the sport and achieve greatness. Oracene frequently expresses joy over her daughters’ accomplishments and has not only been a proficient coach but also a nurturing mother. Her involvement extends to various charitable foundations and causes, traveling globally with her daughters to support these endeavors. Instilling spirituality in Venus and Serena, she has contributed to their composed court demeanor. Serena has notably referred to her mother as ‘unbreakable,’ highlighting Oracene’s resilient spirit and problem-solving prowess.

Additionally, Oracene has had the honor of meeting the Duchess of Cambridge. Her composed, mystifying gaze has become a signature trademark. Ms. Price has consistently graced the courtside, steadfastly present throughout her daughters’ illustrious careers. On the Twitter platform, she enjoys a beloved status among fans. Supporters, over the years, have keenly observed Ms. Price’s facial expressions during matches — frequently donning sunglasses and often resting her head in her hand, occasionally appearing to drift into a light slumber. Since Venus and Serena Williams made their professional journeys in the mid-90s, Ms. Price has witnessed them compete in innumerable matches, including hundreds within the Grand Slam arena. In this article, we’ll explore Oracene Price, her role in lifting the careers of Serena and Venus and her other initiatives.

Oracene Price: Biography

Oracene Price, born on April 3, 1952, has been a notable American tennis coach, widely recognized for being both the mother and coach to Venus and Serena Williams, who are universally acknowledged as some of the greatest tennis players in history. Formerly married to Richard Williams, from whom she divorced in 2002, Price, affectionately nicknamed “Brandy,” hails from Saginaw, Michigan, and is the daughter of an automotive worker from the Mississippi Delta. She completed her education at Buena Vista High School in 1970 and furthered her studies at Western Michigan University.

From her previous marriage to Yusef Rasheed, Price has three daughters: Yetunde Price (1972–2003), a former beauty salon owner and registered nurse; Lyndrea Price, a web designer; and Isha Price, a lawyer. Following Rasheed’s passing and while pursuing a career in nursing, Oracene married Richard Williams, with whom she had two additional daughters, Venus and Serena Williams. Both have ascended to high ranks in professional tennis, clinching numerous Grand Slam titles. Price assisted her husband in coaching Venus and Serena in tennis, and the Williams family relocated to Florida, accepting Rick Macci’s offer to coach their daughters without charge.

By the close of 2000, Price and Richard Williams were living separately, and their marriage officially ended in 2002 due to irreconcilable differences, prompting Price to revert to her maiden name.

During a 2003 French Open semifinal match between Serena and Justine Henin, Williams was subjected to boos from the audience following a dispute over a line call. Price perceives the boos to have been racially motivated, stating, “We, as black people, live with this all the time. It’s all about control.” L. Jon Wertheim, a tennis journalist and author, has remarked about Price, “You have to respect anyone incapable of gloss or spin (i.e., unwilling to lie).”

Identifying as a deeply spiritual individual, Price has also labeled herself a “rampant feminist,” particularly in response to the overtly sexualized portrayals of women in media.

Her philanthropic endeavors have taken her to Kenya alongside her daughter Serena for charity initiatives and to Senegal to assist in building schools.

In the 2021 biopic “King Richard,” Price was depicted by Aunjanue Ellis, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role, while the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Oracene Price: Career

Oracene instilled a vibrant, spirited attitude into her daughters, Venus and Serena Williams. Richard Williams, also a tennis coach, played the role of training his daughters in tennis from the tender age of five. To enhance her ability to guide her daughters through the technical nuances of tennis, Oracene undertook formal training in the sport. Together with her husband, she withdrew her daughters from their training academy to personally coach them.

Transitioning from their family home, the Williams family relocated to Florida, continuing to train their daughters there with assistance from Rick Macci. Despite encountering numerous hardships throughout her life, Oracene consistently taught her daughters to resist succumbing to pressure. Her contributions to her daughters’ success have often been eclipsed by her maternal role. She has maintained her daughters’ focus on the sport and has been instrumental in molding their careers.

Oracene ensured that her separation from Richard Williams did not impact their daughters’ game. In fact, the pair would routinely unite for Venus and Serena’s coaching sessions. She has steadfastly supported her daughters through controversies and challenges. In 2001, she stood by her daughter amidst the criticism they encountered for withdrawing from the Indian Wells tournament.

In 2003, when Serena Williams faced boos from fans following a complaint, Oracene held her position, staunchly defending both herself and Serena. That same year, she made an appearance as herself in the documentary show ‘She Got Game’. The show was hosted by rapper ‘Game’, who penned a song for Oracene’s daughter Yetunde Price following her tragic death in 2003.

In 2004, Oracene, along with her daughters Venus and Serena, featured in ‘E! True Hollywood Story.’

Oracene’s Major Works And Achievements  

Oracene founded the OWL Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting education among children and providing financial assistance to students. The foundation offers a robust learning platform, with its primary objective being to assist students experiencing learning difficulties and academic failures, enabling them to express themselves and excel academically. Over time, Oracene has gained a reputation for being vocal about issues related to racial discrimination. She has frequently engaged with the media on matters of racial profiling, noting that encountering such behavior has become a commonplace experience for Black Americans.

Identifying as a fervent feminist, Oracene has not hesitated to voice her opinions on the disparities observed in the sports domain. She has publicly opposed the media’s objectification and excessive sexualization of women.

Oracene has participated in numerous charitable activities, primarily those that emphasize the promotion of education. She traveled to Africa alongside her daughter Serena to underscore the significance and impact of education and has also contributed to the building of schools in Senegal.

Price has openly criticized the notion of pressure, declaring it to be highly overrated. She points out that as Black Americans in society, they have been subjected to nothing but pressure throughout their lives. She has also imparted to her daughters the importance of resisting succumbing to pressure.

Achievements

Oracene’s coaching of Venus and Serena Williams has significantly contributed to their impressive tally of 120 singles titles and 28 doubles titles. She has played a pivotal role in Venus securing 49 singles titles and Serena obtaining 71. Furthermore, Oracene has been instrumental in achieving 21 doubles titles for the Williams sisters as a pair, an additional 2 for Venus, and 5 for Serena.

Her coaching prowess has facilitated numerous notable tournament victories for Serena and Venus, including Serena’s Career Golden Slam and Australian Open wins. Oracene’s coaching milestones also encompass victories at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the attainment of an Olympic Gold Medal, WTA Tour Championships, Career Golden Slam – Doubles, the French Open, and the US Open by the Williams sisters.

Oracene’s Impact On Daughters

Serena Williams, celebrated as a 23-time Grand Slam winner, is arguably the most distinguished player in women’s tennis during the Open Era. However, Williams’ ascent to the zenith of tennis is not solely attributed to her own perseverance, commitment, and dedication. Her parents, particularly during her formative years, made significant contributions. While her father, Richard Williams, undeniably played a crucial role in her evolution as a tennis player, her mother, Oracene Price, also significantly contributed to her development. Price has been a fervent supporter of her daughter, often being present at her matches. Many of Williams’ matches were characterized by their high-energy and dynamic style of play. Yet, in a recent interview, Williams disclosed how her mother’s demeanor during her matches consistently remained calm, composed, and collected. Oracene Price, ever the supportive mother, always relished seeing her daughters Serena and Venus perform. However, while she spent time in the stands cheering for her daughters, Price epitomized composed support. Serena Williams recently reflected on this characteristic of her mother in an interview with Marie Claire.

In the interview, Williams was asked about her mother’s response following her initial victory in a pivotal match. Williams responded, “My mother always maintains a stoic and calm demeanor, even when she’s quite engaged, like in those moments when she watches me on the court, while I’m riding a wave of adrenaline.”

The interviewer presented Williams with a video that immortalized Price’s invaluable reaction after Williams’ crucial win. Upon viewing the video, Williams commented, “In that video, after my triumph, it seems as though her face reflects relief more than excitement, as if her entire being is exhaling, “Now it’s concluded.”

The US Open 2022 became Serena Williams’ magnificent farewell to the tennis world. The legend was unable to secure a victory over a prevailing Ajla Tomljanovic, despite showcasing flashes of her remarkable skill. Intriguingly, Oracene Price appeared too drowsy to observe her daughter compete and took a short nap in the stands. Regardless of her idiosyncrasies, Oracene Price’s influence on her daughters is undeniable. Both Venus and Serena Williams continually recall the inspirational guidance their mother provided them. While Price assisted Richard in teaching their daughters tennis, she predominantly helped them evolve into confident women.

Oracene Price: Net Worth As Of 2023

As of 2023, Oracene Price boasts an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. In 2013, her daughter Venus sold her a house valued at $310,000 for a mere $10 to formalize ownership. The house’s value has since appreciated beyond its worth at that time. Read More: Collin Morikawa Net Worth 2023, Salary, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Properties, Charities, etc.

Oracene’s Take Over Of Richard Williams’ Absence: Documentary

The esteemed American coach, Richard Williams, is frequently recognized as the pivotal figure behind his daughters, Venus and Serena Williams’, extraordinary tennis success. However, another individual played a crucial, albeit often overlooked, role in sculpting the Williams sisters’ legacy in women’s tennis. That person is their mother, Oracene Price, who consistently believed in and supported her daughters through all obstacles. Even when the younger sister, Serena, was receiving limited attention from the tennis community, it was Oracene who encouraged her to pursue success. Discussing this, the former American coach once disclosed how she instilled self-belief in the ‘Queen of the Court’ after she was deemed “crazy” by ‘King’ Richard.

From Taekwondo to ballet, Richard Williams explored every avenue for his elder daughter, Venus, to establish her as one of tennis’s greats. Notably, the former tennis coach devoted most of his time to the 7-time singles Grand Slam champion, as she was the focal point during her early years on the circuit. Consequently, Serena Williams often found herself in the shadows while her elder sister diligently trained with their father on the court. Even ‘King’ Richard once labeled the American tennis legend “crazy,” asserting he couldn’t manage her. It was her mother, Oracene Price, who stepped forward to support the former tennis star by assuming the role of her coach.

In the 2012 documentary, Venus and Serena, Oracene shared how she motivated her daughter to have faith in herself amidst all the criticism. She expressed, “Venus was her dad’s court. Serena was on mine. He claimed he couldn’t handle Serena, she crazy. I told her a little different, I made her believe in herself. I made her think that she can get to any ball.” From playing on Compton’s local courts to emerging as one of tennis’s greatest, the former tennis ace traversed a remarkable path during her illustrious journey. Serena, who has often praised Oracene as a “no-nonsense lady” for her training sessions, referred to her as “the spine” in the documentary.

Conclusion

Oracene Price, a name that resonates beyond the tennis courts, brings a statue of strength, resilience, and continuous support. Her journey, while intimately connected with the meteoric rise of her daughters Venus and Serena Williams, showcases the silent power behind their thunderous victories. Oracene, often seen yet seldom heard, has been a constant, a steady rock amidst the tumultuous waves of challenges, criticisms, and triumphs that have characterized her daughters’ careers.

In the area of sports, where physical prowess often takes center stage, Oracene’s story brings to light the indispensable role of mental and emotional fortitude. Her calm demeanor, observed by millions on television screens worldwide, belies a fierce spirit and an unbreakable resolve that has undoubtedly been a source of inspiration and stability for Venus and Serena. Her strength, often mistaken for passivity, is, in reality, a force that has pushed her daughters to navigate through the pressures and expectations that come with being world-class athletes.

Oracene’s journey is also a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and unseen struggles that parents of athletes undergo. Behind the glittering trophies and below the spotlight of international acclaim, lies the untold story of a mother who gave her all to provide her daughters with opportunities to rise, to fight, and to etch their names in the chapters of sporting history. Oracene, while celebrated for her role in the professional development of Venus and Serena, has also been their pillar in moments unseen and untelevised. Her role, therefore, extends beyond the coach and into the realm of a nurturer, protector, and unwavering supporter.

Moreover, Oracene’s impact reverberates beyond the immediate family into the larger societal context. Her story is an inspiration to countless mothers, particularly those of aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with belief, perseverance, and an unyielding spirit, they too can carve out pathways of success for their children. Oracene has inadvertently become a symbol of hope and strength for parents navigating the challenging roads of competitive sports with their children.

In the broader context of societal norms and expectations, Oracene has also subtly challenged the stereotypical narratives surrounding women, particularly mothers, in sports. Her active involvement in the rigorous, demanding area of sports coaching disrupts conventional gender norms, showcasing that mothers, too, can be coaches, tacticians, and strategists. Her ability to balance the dual roles of motherhood and coaching, to connect tenderness with tenacity, further dismantles gendered expectations and paves the way for more women to step into varied roles within the sporting world.

In conclusion, Oracene Price’s legacy is multifaceted, echoing in the grand halls of tennis achievements and whispering in the silent struggles, sacrifices, and steadfast support that characterize the journey of sporting parents. Her story, while embedded in the spectacular successes of Venus and Serena, stands alone as a narrative of strength, sacrifice, and silent, yet potent, power. Oracene, in her calm composure and resilient spirit, has crafted a legacy that will continue to inspire, motivate, and resonate with generations to come, within and beyond the tennis courts. Her story is not just that of a coach or a mother; it is a tale of an unsung hero who, behind the scenes, played a pivotal role in crafting one of the most inspiring stories in the world of sports.