"I think he'll decide who's going to win" - When Elena Dementieva said Richard Williams influenced outcomes of Venus vs Serena Williams matches

Elena Dementieva once claimed that the outcomes of matches between Venus Williams and Serena Williams were decided by their father Richard Williams.

The Russian's claims came shortly after her 6-0, 6-3 defeat to Venus Williams in the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001. With her win, Venus set up a match against her sister Serena in the semifinals of the tournament.

Dementieva was asked what she thought would be the outcome of the semifinal and she responded that Richard Williams would decide who would win. She then amended her statement slightly and predicted that Serena Williams was likelier to reach the final given her form.

"I mean, I don't know what Richard thinks about it. I think he will decide who's going to win tomorrow. But it looks like Serena because I saw a little bit of this match, she played extremely well. I think she will be in the final," Elena Dementieva said.

The Russian then cited the example of the Williams sisters' meeting at the 1999 Lipton Championships, which Venus Williams won. Dementieva called the match "funny."

"I remember when they played in the Lipton," said Dementieva. "If you saw the match, it was so funny."

Venus Williams was subsequently asked about Dementieva's statements, and she said there was no truth to them.

"No, it's not a true opinion at all," Venus said. "Everyone makes their own comments. That's how rumors get started. I guess rumors are more exciting than the truth."

Venus Williams and Serena Williams both have a positive head-to-head against Elena Dementieva

Venus Williams and Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open

Venus Williams and Serena Williams locked horns with Elena Dementieva 12 times each.

Venus won nine out of 12 meetings against the Russian, the first of which came in the 1999 Fed Cup Final. Dementieva won that match 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).

The two met in the gold medal match at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where Venus Williams won 6-2, 6-4.

The final meeting between the American and Dementieva came in the group stage of the 2009 WTA Finals (then known as the WTA Tour Championships), with Dementieva winning 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-2.

The Russian had a keener rivalry with Serena Williams, with the latter leading 7-5 in the head-to-head. The first meeting between the two came in the fourth round of the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, with the American winning 6-2, 6-2.

Williams and Dementieva played out some close matches, the most notable of which was their Wimbledon semifinal in 2009. The Russian had match points but Serena Williams saved them to win 6-7(4), 7-5, 8-6.

The last meeting between the two was the final of the 2010 Medibank International Sydney, with Dementieva winning 6-3, 6-2.