Venus Williams Documentary ‘Venus VS.’ Premieres July 2 on ESPN

“The only thing tougher than her serve… was her will.”

ESPN Films and ESPNw are celebrating women in sports and specifically 40 years of Title IX , the landmark amendment that banned sex discrimination in schools in 1972.

The fete is one of many that brought us superstars like Venus Williams , whose accomplishments as a female athlete get the spotlight in the Nine for IX documentary film Venus VS. , one of nine in a docu-series, all directed by women.

“It shouldn’t only be anniversaries,” says Libby Geist, associate director of development at ESPN Films. “We should always be highlighting women.”

In addition to Venus, the series will feature former women’s college basketball coach Pat Summitt , retired soccer player Mia Hamm , sports journalist Lisa Olson , late scuba diver Audrey Mestre , runner Mary Decker .

Venus’ feature was directed by Ava DuVernay , the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her film Middle of Nowhere.

Tune in for the premiere July 2 on ESPN at 8PM and watch the trailer for Venus VS . blow.

[thanks Parallel Film Collective]

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