American tennis player Serena Williams, who became a mother in September, will make her comeback on December 30 at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament, organizers announced today.
The 36-year-old has not competed since April, when she took a career hiatus due to her pregnancy.
Serena Williams, who in January 2017 won the Australian Open for the seventh time, her 23rd Grand Slam title, had little Alexis Olympia on September 1. On November 15, he married Alexis Ohanian, 34, a co-founder of the website Reddit.
“I am happy to be back in Abu Dhabi,” said Serena Williams, in words collected on the tournament’s website.
Serena’s rival for this long-awaited return will be the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, champion of the last Roland Garros. It will be the first time that both face each other.
The former world number 1, dropped to 22nd place in the WTA, will have as the first great challenge of 2018 to revalidate her title at the Australian Open, in Melbourne (January 15-28).
In the event of lifting the trophy in Australia, it would equal the record for titles in the individual category achieved by the same person (men and women) in the Grand Slam, which is now held by the Australian Margaret Court with 24.