Witness Docs presents All-American, a series that zeroes in on sports icons to find out what their stories can tell us about America itself. Season 1 focused on the many chapters of world-famous golfer Tiger Woods: a phenom's rise, a shocking fall from grace, and debatably the greatest sports comeback of all time. Host and producers Jordan Bell and journalist Albert Chen revisit Tiger's journey to find out what the media got right, and what it didn't. Season 2 focuses on Venus and Serena Williams. Hosted by veteran journalist Cecil Harris, the story reveals ugly truths about how America often scorns and resists Black excellence. Hear more great stories about complicated people from Witness Docs at witnesspodcasts.com
Venus & Serena | E10 Opening the Door
Women’s tennis is more competitive, there’s more money to make, and there are more Black women and other players of color in the sport than ever before — all thanks to Venus and Serena. Cecil explores the mark the Williams sisters have left on tennis. Plus, Serena’s big announcement, and the sister act returns to the 2022 U.S. Open.
9/14/2022 • 24 minutes, 57 seconds
Venus & Serena | Final Episode Coming Soon
A quick update on our season finale, where we'll reflect on the Williams Sisters' legacy, and their showing at the 2022 US Open.
9/7/2022 • 1 minute, 28 seconds
Venus & Serena | E9 Passing the Torch
After recovering from a traumatic birthing experience, Serena is back on the tennis court. Cecil walks us through what it was like to watch in person as Serena returned to the US Open and faced Naomi Osaka in the controversial 2018 final.
8/31/2022 • 36 minutes, 45 seconds
Venus & Serena | E8 Greatness
2015 marked the greatest tennis season Serena Williams has ever played. She dominated her sport and entered the GOAT conversation. Also that same year? A noticeable shift in how America viewed — and treated — the Williams sisters.
8/24/2022 • 30 minutes, 4 seconds
Venus & Serena | E7 Style Points
Venus and Serena have made no secret of the fact that they love fashion, and their looks have been featured on red carpets and magazine covers. But their influence goes deeper than that. Both sisters have made bold on-court fashion choices that have redefined the sartorial possibilities for women in tennis
8/17/2022 • 29 minutes, 59 seconds
Venus & Serena | E6 You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
Venus steps up to win a decades-long battle for equal prize money in professional tennis.
8/10/2022 • 31 minutes, 18 seconds
Venus & Serena | E5 Althea
Althea Gibson is the greatest tennis player that most people have never heard of -- and one of Serena's heroes. We explore how Althea moved tennis forward in so many ways but received little in return. And how she still largely hasn’t received her due.
8/3/2022 • 36 minutes, 31 seconds
Venus & Serena | E4 Rumors
A rumor about the Williams family spirals into one of the ugliest moments in tennis history. Plus, how a 2001 tournament showed some of the tennis community's true colors.
7/27/2022 • 27 minutes, 26 seconds
Venus & Serena | E3 On Planet Venus
Before Venus and Serena, there was just Venus. Her unusual debut in professional tennis got host Cecil Harris hooked on the Williams family. In this episode, he chronicles how Venus had to navigate a series of early, challenging moments without her sister.
7/20/2022 • 36 minutes, 53 seconds
Venus & Serena | E2 The Plan
Richard Williams made a plan for his daughters to become tennis champions before either of them were born. But the whole family helped the plan succeed, especially the girls’ mother, Oracene Price, whose role is often overlooked.
7/13/2022 • 29 minutes, 24 seconds
Venus & Serena | E1 America's Sweethearts
The All-American team meets for the first time at the 2021 US Open. The only people missing? The Williams sisters. Both Venus and Serena sit out because of injuries but the team uncovers their effect on the tournament anyway. Plus, host Cecil Harris takes a trip down memory lane with The Hollywood Reporter's Nekesa Mumbi Moody. They revisit the 2002 US Open and the crowd's ambivalence towards the Williams sisters.
7/13/2022 • 29 minutes, 3 seconds
Introducing All-American S2: Venus & Serena
While Venus and Serena Williams are revered today, twenty years ago they were both being booed. On All-American: Venus & Serena, host Cecil Harris, a veteran sports reporter who has covered the Williams sisters for nearly their entire careers, revisits the jaw-dropping moments that have defined their time in the spotlight, through interviews with retired tennis players, fans, journalists, and their former coach, Rick Macci. Through their story, All-American: Venus & Serena reveals ugly truths about how America often ignores, scorns, and resists Black excellence -- until it becomes undeniable. The new season officially starts July 13.
