Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams are set to debut their new podcast, Stockton Street, on September 17. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the sisters revealed that the show gives them a rare chance to have honest conversations with one another—something they rarely could during their competitive careers.
“As close as we are, our professional lives forced us to keep many things at a distance,” Serena explained. “She’s my sister, but also my opponent. This podcast is a chance to finally explore that relationship and discover more about each other.”
Venus added, “People often ask if we really like each other, given that we compete against one another. We’ve never fully shared the dynamics of our bond before, and this podcast gives us the opportunity to unpack that.”
The bi-weekly series will release episodes every Wednesday on X, making it the platform’s 27th original show. The first episode was recorded at Arthur Ashe Stadium just before the U.S. Open, a site full of both cherished and challenging memories for Serena, who retired in 2022 with 23 major titles.
“We’ve had incredible moments here, along with some difficult ones,” Serena said. “I don’t dwell on the past much, but it’s nice to take a moment to reflect.”
Named after the street in Compton, California where the sisters grew up, the podcast aims to share life lessons from their journey to the top of the tennis world, emphasizing the mental toughness and resilience required to succeed.
“We weren’t coddled, and we want to show that tough love, both for ourselves and for others,” Venus said. “Life is real, and our stories—wins, losses, struggles—are real too.”
While tennis and women’s sports will be topics of discussion, the sisters also plan to explore health, wellness, pop culture, and bring on guests. “This isn’t just a sports podcast,” Serena said. “Our lives have always included much more than tennis, and we want to share that.”
The podcast also allows them to directly address aspects of their careers that were previously misrepresented or misunderstood, particularly by the press during their youth. Venus recalled, “When I turned professional at 14, there was very little protection for young athletes. Any statement could be misinterpreted, and we never really addressed misconceptions at the time.”
Serena added, “Now, we have the chance to own our narrative and share our story on our terms.”
The launch comes shortly after Venus returned to the U.S. Open at 45 following an 18-month break. She lost her first-round singles match but reached the doubles quarterfinals with Canadian Leylah Fernandez. Serena humorously admitted feeling “jealous” of Venus’ new doubles partner but praised Fernandez’s dedication and work ethic.
Venus reflected on her experience, saying, “Usually, losing a match meant forcing a smile, but this time I genuinely enjoyed the moment and left the court happy.”
Stockton Street offers fans a unique glimpse into the Williams sisters’ lives, their perspectives on sports, culture, and life lessons, and a platform for them to tell their story their way.
