Serena Williams’ dad has dementia, brain damage and problems speaking, his doctor heartbreakingly reveals in court docs

SERENA Williams’ father Richard is suffering from irreparable “brain damage” and “dementia”, his doctor has revealed in public available court documents.

The court papers also reveal tennis ace and her sister Venus could become embroiled in a court battle with their stepmother.

Richard Williams has dementia and brain damage according to court papers. Credit: Rob Foldy/Getty Images

Serena gets a hug off dad Richard after her 1999 US Open win. Credit: Reuters

The 77-year-old is “totally incapacitated to conduct any business”, the documents, which include testimony from his own doctor, state.

The former tennis coach has barely been seen in public over the last few years, as he’s been fighting a messy divorce battle with Lakeisha Williams, 40.

He suffered two strokes which left him barely able to speak, Daily Mail reported in 2018.

Richard claims in court documents that Lakeisha forged his signature to change the mortgage deed on his house in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, into her name.

He then claims an associate of Lakeisha’s pretended to be him, so that she could borrow nearly $300,000 of equity on the house from a lender named David Simon to start up a trucking business.

Richard with daughters Venus and Serena at a tennis camp in Florida in 1992. Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The pair embrace after she won Wimbledon in 2012. Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Richard is the father of and was tennis coach of Serena and Venus Williams. Credit: Fred Lee/Getty Images

Unsealed court records reveal the extent of Richard’s health problems. Credit: Palm Beach County

Richard is suing both Lakeisha and David, who have denied wrongdoing have been attempting for over a year to get the case thrown out of court.

Now David is trying to involve tennis stars Serena and Venus and has asked their dad to “describe all income, real property, personal property, or gifts received from Venus or Serena Williams since 2015 until the present”.

Richard has refused to give an answer, arguing through his lawyer Thomas Gruseck that it has nothing to do with this case.

Richard’s incoherent deposition from June 2018, which had to be cut short by lawyers, can be seen in full as well as the medical assessment from his primary care physician, Dr Monica Walker.

In it, the doctor explains how Richard’s stroke has affected his “brain function”.

Venus Williams hugs her dad Richard. Credit: Manuela Davies/Getty Images

“As you are well aware, you suffered damage to your brain tissue during a stroke,” she says.

“The complications after the stroke included inability to remember things which happened recently and incidents that happened years ago.

“You will remember, immediately after the stroke, your muscles weakened and slowly you were able to regain strength. You also have problems speaking and finding the right word to use.

“You have recovered from problems forming your words. However, you have not recovered from what is called dementia.

“Your ability to do household business transactions such as writing checks, paying bills, and maintaining records is lost. You still at times find it difficult to use the right words. This is all part of cerebral vascular disease and stroke.

“When I spoke with you concerning legal matters and your level of judgement during any household or business transactions, you stated you were unable to do any tasks relating to business. You stated your wife handled all the household business because you get confused easily.

Richard with Venus and other family members in 2013. Credit: Manuela Davies/Getty Images

“Your mental state since the first stroke includes loss of recent and remote memory and increased confusion during times of increased demands for concentration.”

David has argued in court documents that Richard shouldn’t be able to provide any testimony and a legal guardian should be appointed as he is “incapable of cogently responding to questioning” and a deposition would be a “waste of time”.

In his abandoned first deposition, Richard, didn’t know whether his lawyer was an attorney or family member, saying “I’m not sure’”, with the cross-examining lawyer saying: “That’s pretty serious, because almost everybody that you would speak to knows who their relatives are.”