The Williams sisters: A legacy of hard work and dreams

Wimbledon has come and gone, with the next generation of tennis stars beginning to leave their mark on the sport. While the men's finals had long time hard-hitter and tennis personality Novak Djokovic in contention, the women's finals saw many new faces competing for the coveted trophy. Women's tennis seems to be poorer without the likes of the Williams sisters, who dominated the game for the better part of three decades. While many next-generation tennis professionals will be glad to have a chance to shine in their absence, their presence and power will be missed. 

Often compared with Tiger Woods' impact on golf, Venus and Serena Williams are game-changers whose domination has had a major influence on tennis, and they served as role models to future tennis champions and brought about lasting social impact. Though they're the holders of many records now, it’s interesting to learn of Althea Gibson, regarded as the “Jackie Robinson of Tennis”, who was the first African-American woman to win Wimbledon in 1957.  

The Williams success story has been well-documented, a rags-to-riches tale that saw them adopt the game at an early age under their father's guidance to reach unprecedented fame and fortune over the course of 27 years. Their early years have been lovingly translated to screen in King Richard, an inspirational and heartwarming coming-of-age drama from the perspective of their father, Richard Williams. A bold personality whose driving influence led Venus and Serena to become tenacious tennis stars of tomorrow, the biographical film chronicles their growing pains, challenges and setbacks through the eyes of an eagle-eyed disciplinarian who forged an unconventional yet incredibly effective plan. 

Starring in the title role of this character study is Will Smith in an Oscar-winning performance. Capturing the man's mannerisms, movements and inflection, he manages to reveal many of Richard's complexities without losing sight of his true merits. King Richard is fairly accurate in its retelling of the family's determination and resilience, confronting numerous barriers from rising crime in Compton and socio-economic disadvantages to dismantling the sport's traditionally white middle class stigma. Impassioned performances, a heartfelt true story and the journey's emotional heft contribute to a stirring drama to rival The Pursuit of Happyness. 

The Williams sisters are a focal point of King Richard but this chronicle doesn't attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of their careers. It's more concerned with forming an emotional bond and portraying the origin story behind their many public successes on the court. A celebration of their father's undying commitment to ensure they achieve their dreams and goals, the film speaks to the importance of hard work, family and community in building the confidence and careers of next generation athletes. 

King Richard makes its primary subject more relatable, latching onto Smith's star quality and charms to offer a rose-tinted account of the iconic father. Most biographical dramas take poetic licence to craft more compelling stories by raising stakes, heightening emotion and creating more conflict to drive story momentum. This is the case with King Richard, which offers a kinder perspective on Richard's complex personality. Determined and ambitious, Smith's larger-than-life portrayal doesn't shy away from his tough love when it comes to discipline and support but does downplay less flattering aspects to his personality. 

This award-winning drama remains hopeful and powerful in its depiction of one of the most incredible families in sporting history. A faithful overview of their developmental years leading to their introduction to the professional tennis circuit, it captures the family’s true determination and underdog spirit, not settling for second best. While King Richard offers wonderful insights into this time in their lives, it takes a documentary like Williams Sisters to provide a greater context of their overarching influence.  

Setting the scene of an unyielding and mostly white tennis establishment and Compton's strong contrasts with Hollywood in the 1980s, the documentary takes about 11 minutes to cover the years depicted in King Richard. Through sports footage, interviews and photographs from the time, Williams Sisters offers a much more comprehensive chronicle of their nearly 30-year tennis careers. Being the older sister, Venus had the brunt of expectation as a rising tennis star. Yet, as cleverly hinted at in King Richard, it was Serena who would supersede her sister's remarkable accomplishments. 

Sharing 12 Wimbeldon titles between the two of them, Williams Sisters documents their rise, dominance and rollercoaster sports careers. Battling racism, surpassing expectations and showing resilience with one comeback after another, their domination of the sport comes with an added layer of stick-it-to-the-man satisfaction. A real-life triumph of the human spirit, both sisters have managed to overcome prejudice, injury and personal setbacks again and again to emerge victorious. Testament to their enduring status as tennis champions is the “Serena Slam”, in which Serena Williams was able to hold all four Grand Slam titles in 2002/2003, only to repeat this feat over a decade later in 2014/2015. Having had a rollercoaster career, it’s also amazing to think Serena managed to reclaim her rightful place as tennis champ after dropping to 175th in world rankings.  

The modern game has seen tennis stars holding onto their prowess into their 40s. The Williams sisters have proven themselves beyond being tennis stars but also know their limitations. Covering many of their high profile Williams vs. Williams matches, the sports documentary cleverly captures the timeline of events over the years with on screen titles, tending to focus on the more newsworthy moments and turning points.  

A brisk documentary, Williams Sisters makes a wonderful companion piece to King Richard in providing snapshots from across Venus and Serena’s careers. Offering a rich historical context to the events of King Richard or picking up where the film’s story left off, this documentary gives one a fuller appreciation for their far-reaching influence and record-breaking legacies.  

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