Father of Venus, Serena Williams liable in lawsuit, but owes no damages

By BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press Writer
December 21, 2006

Tennis player Serena Williams loads items into the trunk of a car outside the Palm Beach County Courthouse Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams is liable but doesn't have to pay damages in a lawsuit that claimed he reneged on a deal for his daughters to play in an exhibition match, a jury ruled Thursday.
AP - Dec 21, 3:30 pm EST
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams is liable but doesn't have to pay damages in a lawsuit that claimed he reneged on a deal for his daughters to play in an exhibition match.

A jury Thursday cleared Venus Williams of all allegations but said Serena Williams let her father act as an agent for her. Neither sister must pay damages.

The Williams sisters expressed relief at the verdict.

"Venus and I would really like to thank the jury again because they really were able to see the truth in this matter," Serena Williams said.

Added Venus Williams: "We're ready to start a new chapter in our lives." Attorney for the Williams' father also said they consider the verdict a victory.