Serena Williams targets Australian Open title defence, say organisers

ByReuters

Updated 10/10/2017 at 07:44 GMT

MELBOURNE, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Former world number one and new mum Serena Williams is targeting a return to Melbourne Park next year to defend her Australian Open title, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Tuesday.

Serena WIlliams of the U.S. hits a shot during her first round match against Switzerland's Belinda Bencic

Image credit: Reuters

Williams, who won her 23rd grand slam title when pregnant at the 2017 tournament in January, gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on Sept. 1. She has just three months to get fit if she is to defend her title.

Eurosport Player One Year Pass for just £29.99

"Serena will be back," Tiley told reporters in Melbourne.

WTA Madrid

Swiatek steps up French Open preparations with victory over Wang

34 minutes ago

"She wants to come back in 2018 and defend her title and she's in training now.

"There's several months to go and obviously it will be up to her as to where she is with her fitness."

The 36-year-old would be competing for a tournament record A$4 million (£2.36 million) winner's purse in 2018, with total prize money hiked 10 percent to A$55 million.

Craig Tiley comments confirmed the exclusive Patrick Mouratoglou gave Eurosport’s Dan Quarrell at the US Open.

ATP Madrid

Nadal continues injury comeback with dominant win over Blanch

a minute ago

ATP Madrid

Exclusive: Sinner unmoved by Monte Carlo controversy in Madrid: 'Everyone makes mistakes'

00:03:05

9 hours ago

ATP Madrid

Ruud reflects on Barcelona win and reveals 'next goal'

00:04:32

10 hours ago

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me