Serena Williams’ father and tennis mentor, Richard Williams, 82, diagnosed with dementia and brain damage after strokes. With heavy hearts, we share this profound news about his ongoing health battle….Read More

The film, which follows on from the King Richard biopic starring Will Smith, continues to receive rave reviews at private events ahead of its public release which has been pushed back.

Described as an “emotional reckoning” featuring unaired interviews spanning the 1980s to the present day, Richard retraces his past “from the poverty-stricken streets of Shreveport, Louisiana, to the grass courts of Wimbledon.”

The documentary tells the tale of how he fought back against systemic and racial oppression and violence, “breaking every rule of the lily-white tennis establishment to forever change the sport.”

On The Line will premiere at the Sheffield DocFest in England on June 17, 18, and 19, and then in various markets around the world

Archive video shows Richard, now 81, talking about why he coached his girls from being children, revealing: “I thought I could live through my kids, and I thought I could make a million dollars.”

He goes on to explain he grew up in Louisana, saying: “All my life I had to be brave, I should have been dead by now,” as old footage shows racial tension in the US, protests, and devastating images of the KKK.

Director Stuart McClave exclusively told The U.S. Sun: “Mr. Williams has never given up a day in his life.

AGAINST THE ODDS
“He is one of the rare examples of someone who talks the talk and walks the walk. A father who knew that hard work and faith would be the ticket to success.