Serena tells FADER 'My story is universal'

Serena Williams graces the cover of *The Fader**'s* "America Issue" and in a wide-ranging interview, sharing her thoughts on everything from her return to Indian Wells to the scrutiny of her body.

In the article, Williams says that it her interactions with former South African president Nelson Mandela and reading his autobiography that contributed to her return to the tournament after a 14-year absence.

"I realized that everything that I’m about, the way that I was raised, and everything that I’ve been born to do is all about forgiveness and moving on," the 35-year-old said. "And I just felt like it was all about the right time to do it."

As far as the scrutiny—both positive and negative—that she’s received over her physical appearance, Williams said for the most part she tunes out the comments.

"People are entitled to have their opinions, but what matters most is how I feel about me, because that’s what’s going to permeate the room I’m sitting in," the 22-time Grand Slam champion said. "It’s going to make you feel that I have confidence in myself whether you like me or not, or you like the way I look or not, if I do."

“That’s the message I try to tell other women and in particular, young girls," she added. "You have to love you, and if you don’t love you, no one else will. And if you do love you, people will see that and they’ll love you, too."

Williams also discusses her French skills, her connection to Africa, big sister Venus, her sexuality, Beyoncé and much, much more.