Raising Tennis Aces - The Williams Story

With authorized bios like this, who needs exposés? While thrilling tournament footage attests to Venus and Serena Williams's domination of tennis, they come off as mere pawns to their father, self-proclaimed "master planner" Richard, who, as the narrator informs viewers, "single-mindedly raised two sporting champions." Richard has served as the sisters' manager, coach, and father, and according to this program he planned his daughters' destinies before they were born. There is no arguing with his success, which is delineated in the number of championships won, the endorsements earned, and the sisters' phenomenal net worth. But self-deprecation ("I'm just a poor little cotton picker") is not Richard's game. "People look up to me wherever I go," he states at one point. "It's like I'm a god almost." There is much here to inspire young fans, who may enjoy the charming home movie footage and living vicariously through the women's glamorous off-court activities, which range from fashion shoots and music video appearances to commercials. But Richard's harrowing memories of growing up in the segregated South may be too graphic for some. --Donald Liebenson

Movie Details

Cast: Venus Williams
Running time: 54 min

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DVD Features:

• Color
• Widescreen

DVD International release dates:
North America: Jan 21, 03