Serena Williams Discusses Challenges of Coaching Her Child

Serena Williams says she is "too nice" to coach her kid in tennis.

Serena Williams discussed the challenges of coaching your child. / Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

It is never easy for any parent to coach their child, especially if they are a sports legend. No one would know that better than Serena Williams. She and her sister, Venus, were coached by their father, Richard, and reached the highest levels of sport.

The family's rise to stardom has been well-documented in books and movies, but that does not necessarily mean they have the secret recipe. Even Serena struggles with coaching her daughter, Olympia.

The New York Times recently profiled Serena, where they covered a wide range of topics, including the problem so many sports-obsessed families face: coaching your kids.

"I always look at my dad, and I think, 'How were you able to do that?' Because I'm like, 'Oh, they're so cute. I just want them to relax, and I don't want to over-push them.'"

Serena continued, "But I would be devastated if I wasn't pushed because we wouldn't be having this interview and there would never have been a Serena Williams. So I feel so fortunate that I had an opportunity to have that extra oomph."

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Serena explained, "But for whatever reason, I'm having a hard time connecting to that extra push, and that's something I've been trying to figure out myself, how to give that extra motivation to my daughters, because it's definitely worth it, I can confirm from experience."

Serena has already considered calling in one of the world's most famous and successful coaching dads of all time. "I already told my dad, 'Maybe you have to coach her, because I'm too nice'."

Before switching subjects in the interview, Serena added some important context for moms and dads. "It also takes a lot of commitment from the parent, and that's why I have so much respect for my mom and my dad. Because I was like, 'OK, Olympia, we're going to play tennis every Wednesday.' And now I'm like, 'Ugh'."

It is always fascinating to hear sports legends discuss their upbringing and how they apply the lessons they have learned to their own families. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

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