"I try too much, my mom worries for me" - When Venus Williams scared mother Oracene by ambitiously exploring her options outside tennis

Venus Williams once revealed how her mother, Oracene Price, became worried about her when she began exploring new fields and trying her hand at various things. Her mother was concerned that she might lose focus on tennis.

Williams picked up a tennis racket at the tender age of four, with her sister Serena by her side, both coached by their father, Richard. A man of grand ambitions, Richard even crafted a detailed 78-page blueprint to chart their path to success. Their mother also played an equally vital role in shaping their journey.

Venus, however, admitted that she loved exploring new interests to find what suited her best. From learning computer programs and Photoshop to picking up a new language, she dabbled in a variety of pursuits. During that time, Oracene remained quietly worried about the seven-time Grand Slam champion losing focus on her tennis career.

“I'm quite ambitious, I think,” Venus Williams told the media during the 2004 Australian Open. “I try a lot of things. I notice also when I'm trying different things, like I'll learn new things. My mom, she's kind of sitting like this (closed mouthed). She knows that I try too much, and she worries for me. She doesn't want me to lose my focus on tennis”

The American explained that, no matter what new interests she pursued, tennis would always remain her “lighthouse.” She believed that exploring different fields made her more “well-rounded,” which ultimately helped her perform at her best on the court.

“It's like my lighthouse. I'm always going towards the tennis. But also there's other things that take me in other directions, too. For me, it's important to be well-rounded in order for me to do my best at the tennis,” Venus Williams said.

"I don't know what my first love is after tennis" - Venus Williams

Venus Williams | Image Source: Getty

During the same conversation with the media, Venus Williams shared her passion for fashion, much like her sister Serena, but was quick to declare that tennis was her first love. She said:

"Definitely, for sure. Definitely after tennis -- I don't know what my first love is after tennis. More than anything, I like exploring myself," Venus said.

The American then mentioned that she had always realized how much there was still left to do and how many things she didn’t yet know. She stated that her goal was to change that and improve herself at any cost.

"Each year I realize there's so much more that I don't know, so much more that I'd like to do. And I think more than anything, I just want to improve myself. That's my whole goal. Whether it's fashion or any other endeavor, I just want to do my best and just keep getting more out of me," Venus Williams said.