Oracene, the mother of the famous tennis sisters is a very, very unique lady. Soft spoken and extremely articulate.

Oracene is the engine that drove and drives the success of all her daughters, especially the tennis megastars, Venus and Serena. She appears to always speak in whispers and on a scale of one to 10, I have never heard her voice raised above four. Oracene is a bundle of fun and mischief and at 60 can easily pass for her older daughters’ friend.

But she is also as tough as nails, discerning, very perceptive and always tries to be politically correct. She has been described by some tennis writers as “unflappable and calm.”

Oracene Price

Oracene’s first marriage to the late Yussef A. K Rasheed, a full blooded American who like Cassius Clay (Mohamed Ali) adopted a muslim name, produced three daughters – Yetunde (1972 – 2003), Leandra and Isha. Her strength of character manifested in the naming of two of the first three daughters.

“It was my decision to give Yetunde and Isha African names because I wanted to stay connected to my roots.” The adorable tennis mum said. Late Rasheed, a lecturer at the Michigan University could not have agreed more.

With a degree from Western Michigan University and nursing qualifications, Oracene remarried to the now famous Richard Williams and had Venus and Serena that they “programmed to be Wimbledon champions.”

To achieve this goal,, she brought all her education, exposure and knowledge to impact on the girls’ tennis career.  As a mother she kept the girls grounded and focused and disciplined. As a nurse she patched up the girls when they had injuries that had to be kept away from their opponents and the public domain and prepared them for matches.

As a social scientist and counselor she prepared Venus and Serena to cope with the pressure and challenges on and off the court.

Many writers have attributed the girls’ poise under pressure to self belief instilled in them by their mother. “There is no such thing as pressure” says Oracene. “As black Americans, that’s all we’ve ever had in life. So where is the pressure?” This attitude was in addition to “a respect that meant neither Oracene nor Richard Williams raised their voices to their daughters.” A writer, Bonnie Ford has said that the longevity exhibited by the Williams sisters is directly attributable to their parents and the way they have helped them manage their careers and lives.

Ford says “it is especially admirable that Oracene and Richard have continued to remain jointly supportive of their daughters’ careers despite their separation.”

Richard told this writer, “It is the plan. You can’t go wrong with a good plan.” Oracene said it is “discipline and contentment.”

Asked about how she thinks about Richard remarrying, she says,

“It’s his life.” What do the girls think? “As far as they are concerned, he is on his own.”

But her claim to being the greatest tennis mum on earth is not based solely on the many grand slams, tour titles and Olympic gold medals won by Venus and Serena but also on how she has carried herself on the tour week after week.

Since her separation from Richard in 2000, there has not been one whiff of scandal around her person. Oracene will be the first to applaud a great shot from her daughters’ opponent even though she would probably mutter an “ouch!” before that. On one occasion, sitting in the player’s box with her, Oracene had sang every word of a hip hop song raised by Isha, a lawyer and aspiring singer, during a break in play.”

“I am more than fulfilled,” Oracene said in answer to an obvious question. “I got fulfilled long ago.” Long ago must be going back to the first US Open and Wimbledon titles won by Serena and Venus and the girls becoming No.1 and No. 2 in the world at the same time.

In what ways has your life changed since your daughters took the tennis world by storm?

“I have always been a happy and contented person. The only thing that changed or impacted my life adversely was the death of Yetunde in 2003. I went back to taking care of my young grand children and building them up with the same life principles… that was tough.”

One can therefore understand when Oracene says she has had enough of the Tennis Circuit and is looking forward to when all these will end. “Honestly, I am looking forward to when all this will end. Before, I look forward to leaving LA. Not anymore. Besides I do not enjoy flying that much now.”

The greatest tennis mum will always have some mischievous streak about her. “This does not mean the girls are going to retire anytime soon. They probably will be playing till they are 90 …creeping all over the court.”

And, what else are you looking forward to achieve?

“Oh! I want to spend all my money before I die. I do not want any of my kids spending any of my money! (Chuckle)”

Fresh from a second Olympic singles and doubles gold in London last summer and the WTA Championships title in Istanbul we can  expect to see the greatest tennis mum of all time in her daughters’ corners for a little while longer.

For Nigerian tennis fans it must be a real pleasure to welcome the greatest tennis mum on earth and these “great daughters of Africa” to the most populous black nation on earth.

tennisafrica.com