Mum Serena Williams sets comeback date for Australian Open

Serena Williams is still hoping to return to tennis at the Australian Open in January.

The American superstar, now 36, won her 23rd Grand Slam title in Melbourne while eight weeks pregnant.

Serena gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian on September 1.

At the official launch of the Australian Open, tournament director Craig Tiley said: “ Serena is a truly remarkable athlete and she’s hasn’t ruled out a return to the Australian Open.”

The competitor that she is – she wants to win more than the 23 grand slam titles that she has. She was eight weeks pregnant when she played the Australian Open. Very few people knew that.

“Her baby’s initials are AO and she’s suggested she should also have her name on the 2017 trophy, so the AO is well and truly top of mind for her at the moment. If anyone can do it, she can and I’m certainly not counting her out of a return come January.”

In an interview with Vogue in August, Serena said she was determined to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles by returning to tennis for the first Grand Slam of 2018.“It’s the most outrageous plan,” she said.

“That’s, like, three months after I give birth. I’m not walking anything back, but I’m just saying it’s pretty intense.”

But Serena, who missed three Grand Slams including Wimbledon this year, added: “I’ll tell you this much — I won’t win less. Either I win, or I don’t play.”