“The best thing that happened to my career was coming up behind my sister.”
So says Serena Williams at the start of a new trailer for ESPN‘s new docuseries, In the Arena: Serena Williams presented by Morgan Stanley. The network dropped a teaser today along with descriptions of the eight episodes that promise “an unprecedented look at the life and career” of the now-retired tennis legend who dominated the game for more than two decades alongside sister Venus Williams. The news comes just a few weeks after the world premiere of the first two episodes at Tribeca Festival in New York.
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“My dad, he got my sister out there, and then he started to say I was going to be better. I looked different. I played different. I was more emotional. I had muscle. I was something no one had ever seen before,” Serena continues in the clip. Her sister, Venus, then adds, “She really became a monster on the court in the most beautiful way.”
In the Arena will hit ESPN+ on July 10, the day before Serena Williams hosts The ESPYs. Directed by Gotham Chopra and co-directed by Lauren Fisher, In The Arena: Serena Williams is co-produced by ESPN, Religion of Sports, Tom Brady’s 199 Productions, and Williams and Caroline Currier’s Nine Two Six Prods.
Official episode descriptions are below.
Episode 1: “Out of the Shadow”
“After growing up in Compton, California, and playing in the shadow of her older sister, Venus Williams, 17-year-old Serena Williams begins her professional tennis career and wins her first Grand Slam at the 1999 US Open.”
Episode 2: “Into the Light”
“As Serena struggles to follow up her first Grand Slam, her sister Venus, wins four major titles in two years. Serena finds her groove, but it means going head-to-head against the top player in the world, her sister.”
Episode 3: “Point of No Return”
“After the tragic death of her sister, Yetunde Price, Serena is overcome by grief and depression leading her to drop out of the top 100 rankings. Serena enters the 2007 Australian Open where she battles her emotions and tough competition.”
Episode 4: “The Deep End”
“The isolation of tennis begins to take a toll on Serena, prompting her to enhance her game with the help of a new team. After reclaiming the number one ranking, Team Serena must rally around her after life-threatening health problems to prepare her for the 2011 US Open.”
Episode 5: “The Perfect Storm”
“After losing in the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, Serena hires a new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. As she navigates her thirties and sets her sights on a calendar Grand Slam, Serena reflects on the similar path followed by her friend, Roger Federer.”
Episode 6: “Exodus”
“In 2015, Serena makes her return to Indian Wells, a tournament that holds painful memories for her and her family. Serena, her sisters and Mary Joe Fernández share firsthand accounts of the event which led Serena to boycott Indian Wells for 14 years.”
Episode 7: “Love All”
“During the Italian Open, love is in the air when Serena meets Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. Shortly after getting engaged, Serena heads into the 2017 Australian Open with the hopes of winning her 23rd Grand Slam, all while carrying a secret.”
Episode 8: “This Is You”
“As she begins a new chapter of her life, Serena enters the end of her career. After giving birth to her daughter, Olympia, Serena returns to the court before announcing her retirement from the game of tennis ahead of the 2022 US Open.”
