Serena Williams set to make return at Australian Open 2018

• Australian Open director claims Serena Williams is aiming to play in Melbourne
• Williams has not played since winning the title while pregnant last January
• The 36-year-old gave birth to a girl in September and is back on practice courts

By Press Association Reporter

Published: 10:26 GMT, 6 December 2017 | Updated: 10:26 GMT, 6 December 2017

Serena Williams is expected to return to the court at the Australian Open, according to tournament director Craig Tiley.

The 36-year-old has not played since winning last year’s tournament in Melbourne – when she was pregnant with her first child.

She gave birth to a girl in September and has taken to the practice courts in preparation for a return in 2018.

Serena Williams will return to the court at the Australian Open, according to Craig Tiley

And that will come at Melbourne Park after Tiley revealed the 23-time grand slam champion has entered the tournament with the target of eventually surpassing Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles.

He told the Herald Sun: ‘She’s got her visa, she’s entered, she’s practising and she’s probably just got to find a bit more space for a bigger entourage.

‘There’s no question that she’ll be ready in our view and she wants to break a record that is Margaret Court’s.

‘It would be a pretty significant accomplishment for her to be able to do that.’

The 23-time grand slam winner has not played since lifting the title in Melbourne last January

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