Venus supported by her dad Richard as much as ever

Venus Williams has had one of her biggest fans in the stands all Miami Open long in her father Richard Williams. The American became the oldest WTA player to defeat a world No. 1 when she took out Angelique Kerber, 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday night to reach the semifinals.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion’s father has been spotted wearing a straw hat and cheering on his 36-year-old daughter.

“I feel that his greatest accomplishment was for Serena and I to be whole people and to not be statistics. He just wanted us to not see tennis as the whole thing in our life,” Venus Williams said on Wednesday. “At this point I think he never wants us to retire, so it's a joy for him to see us out here.”

Serena Williams, the owner of 23 Grand Slams, is also keeping a close eye on her big sister's accomplishments.

The man who got both Serena and Venus Williams started in tennis also reunited with the coach who played a part in growing their games, Nick Bollettieri.

The 75-year-old Williams reportedly suffered a stroke last summer, and hasn’t been at many of the Williams sister’s matches. Venus Williams said she thinks his last event before this fortnight was Charleston last year, and said he'll likely just attend tournaments in the United States.

“I could hear him on the sidelines. He really wanted it for me. So it's a happy moment when you come off the court,” Venus Williams said. “Even if I lose he's still very happy, but to see the joy and the pride and the excitement, I could win the match just for that.”