Tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams cover the current issue of NY Times Magazine. The black & white photo brings out the definition in the sisters’ distinctive muscles.

The cover article is long and drawn out, but it’s an interesting read if you have a lot of time on your hands.

Over umpteen pages, the author delves into Venus and Serena’s background, interviewing each family member to get their unique perspectives on the two megastars from the people who knew them before they changed women’s tennis forever.

We don’t hear from the sisters themselves until halfway through the article.

From the NY Times magazine:

There had been some mix-up about the time. I’d stood there buzzing for about 10 minutes. Suddenly the door bolted open. The assistant, I thought, maybe coming down to explain.But it was Serena. In purple spandex workout pants, a white top and sunglasses, her hair natural and a little wild, the way she’s wearing it these days.

“You’re early,” she said.

“Really? I thought it was 7.”

“I thought 7:30.”

“I’m happy to hang out for a while.”

“No,” she said. “Walk with me.” She needed something from the pharmacy.

As we walked, she moved back and forth between French and English. Her French was good. Even very good.

When we returned to her apartment, she asked, “Do you want a drink drink?” She had just flown in, and there was nothing in the place but Jack Daniels, which she poured for me on the rocks, showing a nonshowy graciousness I didn’t expect. “That oughta get you going,” she said with a laugh. She didn’t have any herself. (Jehovah’s Witnesses are allowed to drink in moderation, but whiskey wasn’t part of her training regimen.)

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