Serena Williams Follows Venus into the Spotlight
At age 14, Serena debuted in October 1995 at the Bell Challenge in Quebec, Canada. Though she lost in the first qualifying round, she quickly proved her fierce competitive drive was equal to her sister's.
Chapter 1
The Compton courts and the blueprint
Chapter 2
Rising to the top and facing each other
Chapter 3
Unbeatable together on the doubles court
Chapter 4
Legacy, fashion, and cultural impact
Ch 1 · The Compton courts and the blueprint
diego The Compton Courts Blueprint
Stick to the plan, stick to the plan! Compton's got the blueprint in our hand.
diego At just 14 years old, Venus Williams turned professional in 1994, immediately challenging the sport's established elite.
Fun Fact
Richard's blueprint: Richard Williams began writing his 78-page master tennis plan before his daughters were even born.
diego To prevent burnout and protect their childhoods, Richard pulled Venus and Serena from the competitive junior tennis circuit.
Glossary
blueprint (noun)
A detailed plan or outline for a project or course of action. Richard Williams drafted a 78-page blueprint to train his daughters on public courts in Compton, California.
A detailed plan or outline for a project or course of action. Richard Williams drafted a 78-page blueprint to train his daughters on public courts in Compton, California.
BETA
diego Match drills on the Compton courts to discover the blueprint that shaped two tennis legends.
Quiz
To which state did the Williams family move in 1991 so the sisters could train at a professional academy?
Quiz
Why did Richard Williams pull Venus and Serena out of junior tennis tournaments in 1991?
Quiz
Who wrote the 78-page plan detailing the tennis careers of Venus and Serena Williams before they were born?
Quiz
Who was the highly ranked player that Venus Williams nearly defeated in her 1994 professional debut match?
Quiz
In which Canadian city did Serena Williams make her professional tennis debut in October 1995?
Quiz
In which California city did Venus and Serena Williams practice on public tennis courts during their childhood?