July 1, 2024 – ESPN has released episode details and the episode 1 trailer (watch/download here) for the highly anticipated series In The Arena: Serena Williams presented by Morgan Stanley, set to debut on July 10 on ESPN+. The 8-episode series offers an unprecedented look at the life and career of Serena Williams, one of the greatest athletes of all time. After 27 years in professional tennis, Williams shares a personal account of her most meaningful Grand Slam appearances and deconstructs the milestones of her legendary career. Each episode explores the pivotal moments in Williams’ life on and off the court, illustrating the series of steps that, when reflected upon, show the incredible distance traveled over the course of her career.

Directed by Gotham Chopra and co-directed by Lauren Fisher, In The Arena: Serena Williams is co-produced by ESPN, Religion of Sports, Tom Brady’s 199 Productions, and Williams and Caroline Currier’s Nine Two Six Productions.

Episode Descriptions

Episode 1: Out of the Shadow

After growing up in Compton, CA, and playing in the shadow of her older sister, Venus Williams, 17-year-old Serena Williams begins her professional tennis career and wins her first Grand Slam at the 1999 US Open.

Episode 2: Into the Light

As Serena struggles to follow up her first Grand Slam, her sister Venus, wins four major titles in two years. Serena finds her groove, but it means going head-to-head against the top player in the world, her sister.

Episode 3: Point of No Return

After the tragic death of her sister, Yetunde Price, Serena is overcome by grief and depression leading her to drop out of the top-100 rankings. Serena enters the 2007 Australian Open where she battles her emotions and tough competition.

Episode 4: The Deep End

The isolation of tennis begins to take a toll on Serena, prompting her to enhance her game with the help of a new team. After reclaiming the number one ranking, Team Serena must rally around her after life-threatening health problems to prepare her for the 2011 US Open.

Episode 5: The Perfect Storm

After losing in the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, Serena hires a new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. As she navigates her thirties and sets her sights on a calendar Grand Slam, Serena reflects on the similar path followed by her friend, Roger Federer.

Episode 6: Exodus

In 2015, Serena makes her return to Indian Wells, a tournament that holds painful memories for her and her family. Serena, her sisters, and Mary Joe Fernández share firsthand accounts of the event which led Serena to boycott Indian Wells for 14 years.

Episode 7: Love All

During the Italian Open, love is in the air when Serena meets Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. Shortly after getting engaged, Serena heads into the 2017 Australian Open with the hopes of winning her 23rd Grand Slam, all while carrying a secret.

Episode 8: This Is You

As she begins a new chapter of her life, Serena enters the end of her career. After giving birth to her daughter, Olympia, Serena returns to the court before announcing her retirement from the game of tennis ahead of the 2022 US Open.