MY ACCOUNT
Serena and Venus Williams attended the Academy Awards on Sunday as Will Smith took home the Best Actor prize at this year’s Oscar ceremony for playing their father in the biographical drama King Richard.
The Williams sisters, widely considered two of the sport’s pre-eminent players with 30 grand slam singles titles between them, were executive producers on the film, which charts their meteoric rise.
King Richard was nominated for six Oscars in total, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress, for Aunjanue Ellis who plays the pair’s mother Oracene Price.
It was not without controversy, however, after Smith – who takes on the role of the sisters’ father Richard in the film – struck presenter Chris Rock for a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, shortly before accepting his honour.
“This night has been surreal,” 23-time major winner Serena wrote on Instagram following the ceremony. “To spend it sitting next to my sisters meant more than anything.
“I am so grateful to The Academy for making this an unforgettable night, and to Will Smith for bringing this story to the big screen and honouring my family. This will always be a night to remember.”
Smith overshadowed his own victory though following his altercation with comedian Rock.
He apologised to the Academy during his subsequent acceptance speech, in which he was tearful, while praising Richard Williams as a “fierce defender of his family”.
“I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story,” he stated. “I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees.
“This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. Thank you for this moment and thank you on behalf of Richard and Oracene and the entire Williams family.”
