Athletes rejoice! The spotlight has finally shifted a bit from top models and superstars to big-time athletes. Just go to any newsstand and take a look at the cover of the most recent Vogue for proof. The April issue features a solo shot of Serena Williams and she looks absolutely radiant.

The mega-athlete has graced the cover of Vogue before, but this is her first time on it alone (her first feature was alongside Ryan Lochte and Hope Solo in 2012). Having a woman athlete, who is also a woman of color, is an incredible move for such a major publication, and we simply can’t get enough!

Image Courtesy of Vogue.

The 33-year-old athlete sat down with Vogue to discuss fitness, friendship and forgiveness, and her interview is every bit inspiring as you can imagine. She first delves into her close friendship with one of her biggest competitors, Caroline Wozniacki.

“It’s hard and lonely at the top, that’s why it’s so fun to have Caroline, and my sister too.” To be able to viciously compete, toe-to-toe with someone on the court, but then be friends with her off it, takes a very special person.

She then goes on to explain she has a softer side, which helps us to understand her complex friendships with competitors a bit more. “On the court, I am fierce! I am mean and I am tough. I am completely opposite off the court.”

Serena recently withdrew from her Indian Wells Semifinal due to a painful knee injury, but didn’t seem too stressed about having to back out. The day after removing herself from the tournament, Serena instagrammed a picture of herself lounging outside reading her latest article in Vogue.

#Vogue https://vogue.cm/19bOeLg

A photo posted by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) onMar 21, 2015 at 5:54pm PDT

 

As noted in the Vogue feature, “We’re never going to see anything like the Williams sisters again in American tennis.” Sad but true, this sentiment hits hard for tennis fans everywhere. At least for now we can relish in her continued tournament wins and an absolutely stunning cover shot.