The Williams sisters' abililty to refrain from going down without a fight could be a hereditary trait from their father, Richard.
Which also could explain the reason for the conspiracy theories against them.
USA TODAY Sports' For the Win reported that Richard Williams details in "vivid terms" that he and daughters Venus and Serena, were subjected to racist remarks from a mostly white crowd during Serena's 2001 finals match against Kim Clijsters.
The book, titled, "Black and White: The Way I See It," gives an account of the events that Williams says took place during that match in which he says is a day that "disgraced America."
Richard Williams wrote:
"The chorus of boos that cascaded through the stadium sent a powerful message to America, to Venus, to Serena, and to me. It was a message from the past, one America tries to put behind it but can never forget. It was a snapshot from the days when the open humiliation of the black race was accepted without question. Accusations and racial epithets flew through the stadium."
For the Win reports, however, that the book, due out May 6 and co-authored by Bart Davis, will not quell the 13-year-old controversy or make Williams a more sympathetic figure.
Venus and Serena were supposed to play in the semifinals of the Indian Wells tournament, but Venus withdrew four minutes before the match because of tendinitis, according to ESPN.com.
While fans booed, media and players speculated that Richard Williams ordered Venus' withdrawal so the sisters would not have to meet. He countered that Venus did have an injury and decided to withdraw on her own.
Richard Williams wrote that Venus did "everything by the book" and blamed tournament officials for delaying the announcement of her withdrawal, which heightened the fans' anger. A New York Times account from reporter Selena Roberts stated that Venus had no wrap on the knee nor walked in any kind of noticeable pain, ESPN reported.
Serena, who went on to beat Clijsters, received cheers and boos after the match. But Richard said he and Venus were booed and heckled, and he maintains that he heard racial insults directed at him. FTW writes that he talks about the insults with excruciating detail.
The ESPN account, written in 2009, stated that no reports of racial comments were made to tournament officials.
Nine days after the match, Richard Williams accused the Indian Wells crowd of the racial remarks.
For the Win went on to remark that some of the other stories in Williams' book "stretch credulity."
How much credibility do you give Richard Williams? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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