Serena Williams, the undisputed GOAT (opens in new tab), has faced constant racism and misogyny throughout her awe-inspiring career. In an interview for the new cover of British Vogue (opens in new tab), she reflects on how she has been "underpaid and undervalued" as she has established herself in the tennis world." But she says, "I've never wanted to be a different color or have a lighter skin tone." She adds, "I like who I am, I like how I look, and I like being representative of all the beautiful dark women out there. It's perfect for me. I wouldn't want anything else."

Williams also spoke about this year's "Black Lives Matter" protests in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Ahmoud Arberry, and many others as a result of police brutality and anti-black racism. He said, "Now we black people can have a voice. 'We can see what has been hidden for so many years, what we have to go through. This has been happening for years. Before, people couldn't take out their cell phones and videotape it," he said. [At the end of May, I got letters from many white people saying, 'I'm sorry for everything you had to go through. I think for a little while they started to understand. Because I don't think you would understand. ' I've been telling this story my whole career. It just keeps coming up one after the other."

Williams also spoke about using her vast platform to elevate other marginalized voices. She said, "Tennis is a small play in the grand scheme of things. 'In this society, women are not taught or expected to be future leaders or CEOs. The narrative has to change. But people in my position can show women and people of color that we have a voice. I love standing up for people and supporting women. I love being a voice for the millions of people who don't have one."

"I have never been like anyone else in my life. And I have no intention of starting now."