Tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams have launched a new podcast, Stockton Street, providing an in-depth look at their careers and personal experiences.
Named after the Williams sisters’ childhood home in Compton, California, the podcast offers fans an opportunity to hear their reflections on both triumphs and challenges from nearly two decades on the professional tour. The debut episode, titled “Mask Off,” was released Wednesday.
The episode explores the unique dynamics of competing against one another. Serena recalled the difficulty of facing Venus in early tournament rounds, noting the emotional and competitive challenges it created.
“I remember one year, you beat me-maybe 2000, in the fourth round,” Serena said. “And then we started meeting so early, I really just hated it. I hated every part of it.”
What caused the tension between Serena and Venus?
Venus described the anxiety associated with tournament draws, stating that their hope was always to avoid meeting before the final.
“Most players hope they don’t face the No. 1 seed early, but for us it was, ‘hopefully my sister’s in a different bracket,'” she explained.
The Williams sisters also discussed the psychological complexities of their rivalry. Serena acknowledged that facing Venus removed the confidence she typically held against other opponents.
“When I was playing you, it was like, I don’t know if I can win,” she said. Her approach often involved outlasting Venus and waiting for errors, highlighting the intense competitiveness between them.
In addition to their singles careers, the podcast emphasizes their extraordinary success as a doubles team. Together, Venus and Serena won 22 doubles titles, including 14 Grand Slams and three Olympic gold medals.
Serena recounted the 2008 Wimbledon tournament, when Venus defeated her in the singles final, yet they went on to win the doubles title afterward.
Serena admitted to briefly sulking following the singles loss, but ultimately contributed to their doubles success, underscoring their ability to separate personal rivalry from teamwork.
Misconceptions addressed during the show
The podcast also addresses common misconceptions about the sisters. Both expressed that their public personas were often misinterpreted as a desire for attention, while their primary focus remained on competition.
Serena noted that Stockton Street allows them to discuss aspects of their lives that were necessarily restricted during their careers.
“As close as we are, we had to keep so many things distant because of our jobs,” Serena said. “This is a real opportunity to do something that we’ve been trying to do, and also just a discovery thing as well.”
Venus, who recently returned to professional tennis after a 16-month break, emphasized that the podcast is intended to provide authentic insights.
“We weren’t coddled in life,” she said. “We want to give that sort of tough love, not only to each other but to ourselves. Life is very real. So the message has to be real.”
Episodes of Stockton Street will be released every other Wednesday and will feature discussions with special guests alongside the sisters’ reflections.
The podcast aims to offer a combination of personal storytelling, career insights, and candid observations, providing a comprehensive look at the legacy and experiences of two of the most influential figures in women’s tennis.
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