ARTE Distribution

They learned how to play tennis in one of America’s most dangerous ghettos... became world n°1 and world n°2 in singles and forged an unparalleled record. As African-American women, who are sculptural and powerful, and embody new codes, the Williams sisters navigated through sexism and racism, became world icons, and changed tennis forever.

A New York summer night. An overheated stadium full of people. The stands are packed, feverish, eyes focused on a face in tears. That of Serena Williams, in the middle of the court, as she bids farewell to the world of tennis after a record-breaking career  In her speech to the crowd, the greatest player of all time, choked with sobs, addressed her 15-month older sister, Venus: "I wouldn't be Serena if it wasn't  for Venus. So, thank you Venus. She's the only reason  that Serena Williams ever existed." From the stands, Venus is looking at her little sister, as she has always done since they started playing.
 
With this sentence, Serena sealed her destiny to that of her older sister. Serena, 40, and Venus, 41, have dominated the world of tennis for many years, breaking all records, building an unparalleled record of success... and breaking the color barrier in the sport and in an America plagued by racism. Born into a poor African-American family, cradled in the culture of the ghetto, and fed on their father's mantras of confidence and nerve, Serena and Venus landed like two UFOs in the muffled world of tennis. The two teenagers would challenge the entire system with the freshness of their youth and an acute awareness of their strength. As both sculptural and powerful Black women, self-confident, displaying codes that were never seen before, they would crystallize the divisions tearing American society apart. But together, they overcame the sexist, classist and racist remarks, the broncas of the public, the mistrust of the other players, the contempt of tournament organizers, the sarcastic and biased comments of journalists. United, they would not only bring women's tennis into the modern world, but would also become global icons.