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The Nine for IX series doesn't debut until July 2, but in the meantime, here are a few behind-the-scenes photos from director Ava DuVernay and her crew on location for "Venus VS."

There is a double standard placed on women in sports -- they have to be the best players on the field and the sexiest off of it. Can female athletes ever gain equal footing with their male counterparts?

You could feel how badly the fans wanted a competitive match. But in the end, Maria Sharapova had too much game for Venus Williams.

Serena Williams showed no ill effects of the ankle injury she had suffered two days earlier. In fact, she appeared increasingly mobile as the match progressed, despite the stifling heat.

Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka stumbled briefly, but recovered and rolled against Monica Niculescu. Time will tell if Serena Williams recovers fully from a rolled ankle suffered in her 6-0, 6-0 win.

It's a safe bet Russian women will once again turn up the tennis heat this season. But back home, Spartak Moscow, the country's most successful training academy, faces more challenges than ever.

Check out more of Sloane Stephens' accomplishments in our espnW Headliners gallery.

Sloane Stephens is enjoying being the new it girl of American women's tennis and has gone on a charm offensive over the past year to become the WTA's official ambassador of fun.

The Williams sisters seemed down and out, but 2012 proved to be a career year for Serena Williams. Her comeback was the biggest story of the year, but not the only one.

Serena Williams had quite a resurgence in 2012, but what does the future hold? Our writers weigh in with their predictions for 2013 and beyond.

In pro tennis, having a supportive life partner can be key to achieving success -- and maintaining sanity -- on tour.

A recent study suggests that attractive athletes have more incentive to excel at their sport than others because of the endorsements that await them. Does that theory apply to Maria Sharapova and others on the WTA Tour?

Much has changed in the past year for Agnieszka Radwanska since she decided to replace her father with a new coach. A world No. 2 ranking. A win in a high-profile WTA event. A Slam final appearance. Is a U.S. Open win next?

Debate about whether women deserve equal pay at Grand Slam tournaments continues. But is it really about how many sets they play or good tennis?

Victoria Azarenka is starting to look a lot like the player who owned the WTA Tour for much of the first three months of the year.

Gilles Simon said earlier this week that men's tennis players should be paid more than women because their game is more entertaining. Turns out, they already make significantly more.