Only last month Serena Williams gave birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian jr.The newly become mom is planning to make a comeback in Australian Open in January 2018 to defend her title.
Serena Played her last game before taking a break was in January when she beat her sister Venus in the finals of Australian Open.She was 8 weeks pregnant while playing against Venus.She has only four months to train as she only gave birth on September 1.
The 2018 Open will offer record prize money of $55 million, with the men’s and women’s winners each to pocket a record $4 million.tournament director Craig Tiley said the winners’ prize money had broken a “barrier” that “has not been done by any other grand slam or any other event. We have a player relationship that we are very proud of”at a news conference called on Tuesday.
“Serena will be back,” Tiley was quoted as saying. “We look forward to welcoming her and again go on that journey of breaking the all-time record for the most number of Grand Slams.”
Currently Serena has 23 grand slam singles titles in her name.If she manages to win this Australian Open she will catch up-to Margaret Court Smith, whose grand slam record Williams is chasing,with 24 championships in her name.If that’s in Melbourne, she’ll be competing for more money too.
“I’ve been in contact with all the top players and am pleased to announce we’ll have the full top 100 men and women returning to the Australian Open,” Tiley said.
The women’s singles trophy will be presented by Billie Jean King, 50 years after she won her first Australian Open title.
