'I want my daughter to watch me playing,' says Serena ahead of comeback

ByEurosport

Updated 06/03/2018 at 22:15 GMT

Serena Williams will make her first singles appearance on the WTA Tour since the Australian Open in 2017 in the opening round at Indian Wells on Thursday.

Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot to Shuai Zhang of China during the Tie Break Tens at Madison Square Garden on March 5, 2018 in New York City.

Image credit: Getty Images

The 36-year-old – who says she is motivated by her daughter being able to watch her in action – played her last competitive singles match came when she beat her sister Venus Williams in the final of the Australian Open over 13 months ago.

The 23-time grand slam singles winner gave birth to Alexis Olympia on September 1 and has been working her way back to fitness.

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The 36-year-old was back in action alongside her sister Venus Williams in a doubles match at the Fed Cup on February 11.

And she has admitted the road back to the court has been a tough one. "It's been hard," she told the BBC.

"There have been so many days, even still, when I'm like, 'how am I going to keep going?'

"It's been really, really difficult but I keep going and I know that I might not be at my best yet, but I'm getting there and every day is a new day and every day I should be getting better.

"As long as I'm moving forward, even if it's at a turtle's pace, then I'm OK with that."

Her long-awaited return to singles action will come against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan in California later this week.

And Williams has scotched any notion that she will not be mentally ready for her comeback. "I don't need any more motivation," Williams added.

I have the best thing I could ever want right now. I've always been an extremely motivated person, but my main thing is that I would love for my daughter to be around with me doing great, and playing amazing, so that definitely gives me some motivation.

"I would have thought I would have retired six years ago, but I'm still here and I'm playing great, and I think I'll still be playing good."

Victoria Azarenka, who has not played since Wimbledon in 2017, will also be back on court against Great Britain’s Heather Watson.

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