AFP afpji

Williams dad opts to skip sisters' showdown

Fri 04 Jul, 04:25 PM


LONDON (AFP) - Richard Williams, father and coach to Serena and Venus, has opted to miss their Wimbledon singles final here on Saturday.

The decision of Richard Williams to fly back to Florida came after a fresh outburst of speculation over whether he has any influence over the outcome of matches between the two sisters.

That would have meant he would have been in the spotlight had he opted to be in the players' box on Centre Court, although neither sister offered that explanation for his departure.

"He went home," confirmed Venus. "He always tries to give us the best of advice, so I'm sure he said something to Serena, I guess. She didn't tell me, but basically he's (our) coach all the way through."

Serena added: "He said he did his job and his job was done, so I guess he's feeling good. No matter what happens he's for sure going to be a winner."

The sisters were speaking after booking their place in the women's doubles final by beating France's Nathalie Dechy and Casey Dellacqua of Australia 6-3, 6-3.

The 2002 and 2003 champions will now seek their third Wimbledon doubles title against America's Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur of Australia, the 16th seeds, who shocked top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-3, 6-3.

The Williams sisters have also won the Australian Open doubles title twice as well as one French Open.

 

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  1. AND THEY HAVE NO DRESS SENSE NOW REMEMBER CHRISSIE EVERT,SUE BARKER AND YVONNE GOLAGGGGONG+++@(CRAWLEY)THEY KNEW HOW TO DRESS AND WERE NICE TO LOOK AT TOO..

    From CHEEKY BOY, on Sat 5 Jul 1:13PM

  2. I HOPE THEY BOTH RETIRE ILL!! ROLL ON THE MENS FINAL NOW THAT WILL BE A MATCH!!
    CHEEKY BOY

    From CHEEKY BOY, on Sat 5 Jul 1:09PM

  3. Mojo, you are an arse. I am white, 63 years old and British and I think that the Williams are fantastic. I favour Venus because she has more grace, but either way it's great. Cheeky boy has it right. Why the $£"& does it all have to come down to race.

    From hugh@..., on Sat 5 Jul 12:42PM

  4. venus will win

    From taufikhakim, on Sat 5 Jul 6:39AM

  5. mojo-- the old black thing again you have such a big chip on your shoulder!! i really dont like your anti English comments.These 2 SLUGGERS HAVE GOT THROUGH FAIR AND SQUARE the seedings were wrong but thats the way it goes.I just hope that the final is played in the right spirit not @#$% like the last time they played against each other it was a disgrace.This is bad for tennis but the others only have themselves to blame.Equal pay to men absolutely ridiculous!! CHEEKY BOY.

    From CHEEKY BOY, on Fri 4 Jul 10:51PM

  6. am so happy, cant wait to see Venus and Serena. stop hating the girls are true champions.Venus i love you dress.u rock gal.

    From ann2@..., on Fri 4 Jul 10:40PM

  7. Some of you need to get an education. I was being sarcastic. I was only echoing the ridiculous arguments of the Williams haters.

    Venus to win! Well done the girls. You got through on your own talents. No one can cheat you out of it. If the White British public had a choice or could vote, your ability would have counted for nothing. They would have come up with a million and one reasons why they should not be in the finals.

    From MOJO, on Fri 4 Jul 8:57PM

  8. mojo i would love to see your face and burst it idiot.

    From clabren, on Fri 4 Jul 8:20PM

  9. well done the Williams!!!

    From Joel Tharas M, on Fri 4 Jul 5:51PM

  10. Mojo, stop them from winning if you can... lol

    From Belyab, on Fri 4 Jul 4:57PM

  11. MOJO, no comments... Ashamed of yourself, no???

    From Belyab, on Fri 4 Jul 4:56PM
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