"I’d take them to the police where they could see people in jail" - When Serena Williams & Venus Williams' dad Richard taught them 'real life'

Venus and Serena Williams' father, Richard, was known for his unconventional methods of teaching them tennis. He took things to another level by revealing that he would often take his daughters to police stations to see people in jail, giving them a glimpse into the harsh realities of life.

Richard's efforts paid off immensely, as the Williams sisters went on to become two of the most iconic names in tennis history, with Serena winning 23 Grand Slam titles and Venus claiming seven. He had even crafted a 78-page blueprint for their success and began coaching them when they were just four and a half years old.

In a 2009 interview with Macleans, Richard opened up about the rigorous training he put his daughters through, which included moving to Compton, California, and living in a tough environment.

He said:

"A child [needs to understand] real life. Parents protect their kids so when a kid grows up and leaves home that child thinks everything is nice, that child thinks everyone is truthful, that child thinks everything is great. But life is not that way."

"I’d take them to the police department where they could see people in jail. I wanted them to see people on drugs. I wanted them to see how athletes make some of the worst decisions and lose their money at an early age. If you can see it from the beginning then you can learn," he added.

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