Serena Williams news: Tennis icon ‘definitely crying’ after King Richard receives six Oscar nominations

Serena Williams Will Smith Venus Williams at King Richard premiere in Los Angeles

The King Richard biographical drama is in the running for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and the nominations have left Serena Williams emotional.

King Richard is based on Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard, and focuses on how he raised and coached “two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time”.

Hollywood star Will Smith portrays the role of Richard while Saniyya Sidney plays Venus, and Demi Singleton is in the role of Serena. Oracene ‘Brandi’ Williams is played by Aunjanue Ellis.

Serena was certainly overwhelmed after the nominations were confirmed with the 23-time Grand Slam winner writing on Instagram: “I woke up to this. Our film is really nominated for an OSCAR!!!!!!! This is CRAZY!!!!!!! From Compton to Wimbledon to Academy awards. Everyone can dream. And your dream can come true. Ok I am definitely crying this morning. Congrats to the entire film and crew.”

The film has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Ellis), Best Film Editing, Best Original Song (Beyoncé) and a Best Actor nomination for Smith.

“Be Alive” was written and produced by Beyoncé and Dixson.

“You guys may have heard the great news but our film King Richard has been nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture,” Venus wrote on social media.

“So thank you Academy Awards for including us and honouring my dad and this film we’ve worked on as a family.”

The 94th Academy Awards will take place on March 27.

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