Venus and Serena Williams, two of the most successful tennis players in history, didn’t rise to the top by accident. Their father, Richard Williams, played a crucial role in shaping their careers with an unconventional, often controversial approach that prioritized grit, mental toughness, and self-belief.

Richard’s methods were unorthodox. One extreme training tactic included smashing bottles on the court, forcing his daughters to avoid backing up too far while returning shots. Former coach Rick Macci, who trained the sisters during their youth, confirmed this intense method, recalling, “Richard put broken glass behind the baseline so they wouldn’t retreat. It was brutal—but effective.”

The new biopic King Richard, starring Will Smith, portrays the hardships the Williams family faced—including racism, violence, and financial challenges. But some of Richard’s most radical training ideas were left out of the film. For instance, his confrontation with gangs in Compton, Los Angeles, where he was beaten for defending his daughters’ right to train in a dangerous neighborhood.

Despite having the means to live elsewhere, Richard purposely chose to raise his daughters near “the ghetto” in the Watts neighborhood of L.A. His goal was to toughen them up, preparing them for the psychological and physical demands of professional tennis. On rundown courts in Dominguez Park, Venus and Serena once witnessed gunfire between gang members. Yet Richard remained resolute, even confronting drug dealers and telling them to stay away from the courts.

Critics once questioned Richard’s parenting methods. Social services were even called when a neighbor claimed the girls were being overtrained and missing school. But in truth, both girls were top students, excelling in academics while enduring six-hour practice sessions five days a week—and four hours on Saturdays.

Financially, Richard couldn’t afford elite-level coaching, so he reached out to Rick Macci, a prominent coach who had trained multiple Grand Slam champions. After watching Venus compete in California youth tournaments, Macci flew to Los Angeles. There, he was chauffeured in Richard’s aging VW camper van to two raggedy public courts. Macci initially had doubts—until he saw the sisters play. “They blew me away,” he admitted. “I told Richard he had the next female Michael Jordan. He said, ‘No, brother, I’ve got the next two.’”

Macci took a massive gamble. He moved the entire Williams family—including Richard, his wife Oracene Price, and their children—into a Florida mansion. He paid their expenses for four years, covering everything from coaching to housing, in exchange for a percentage of the sisters’ future earnings. His risk paid off. Between them, Venus and Serena have amassed over 30 Grand Slam titles and changed the face of tennis.

Richard’s strategies extended beyond the court. Before Venus played her first professional match at age 14, Nike offered her a $2.25 million endorsement deal—the highest ever for an unsigned female player. Richard declined the offer. Instead, after her first matches, Venus signed a more lucrative $9 million deal with Reebok.

Still, the demands of the tennis world took a toll on Richard’s personal life. In 2002, he and Oracene divorced after 22 years of marriage. Richard has since remarried and divorced again, and he has suffered two strokes in recent years. He is now cared for by one of his sons and has not publicly commented on King Richard.

Both Venus and Serena have supported the film. Venus stated, “This film gives a glimpse into our lives that no one knows about. Our dad is amazing.” Macci praised Will Smith’s performance, saying it was “beyond epic” in capturing Richard’s spirit, vision, and mannerisms.

Ultimately, Richard’s foresight proved prophetic. As he once told Macci, “Someday they’re going to make a movie about me—and you’re going to be in that movie.” Now, the world can witness the story of a determined father, his fierce daughters, and the journey that transformed them into legends.