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Serena Williams to return to tennis

December 24, 2017

The former world number one will make her comeback this month after birth of her first child. The 36-year-old will take on the reigning French Open champion.

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Serena Williams
Image: Reuters/T. Peter

American tennis star and former world number one Serena Williams is set to make her comeback on December 30 after birth of her first child. The 36-year-old will play her first competitive match in 11 months in the United Arab Emirates.

Serena Williams will play an exhibition match on the final day of the Mubadala event on December 30, tournament organizers announced Sunday.

The former world number one will take on reigning French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in Abu Dhabi.

Williams has not played since her victory in the Australian Open 11 months ago. She gave birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia, in September.

Her current WTA ranking is 22nd.

Read more: Serena Williams takes season off as she confirms pregnancy

Screenshot Instagram Alexis Ohanian
Williams gave birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia, in SeptemberImage: Instagram/alexisohanian

"I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter," Williams said in a statement on the tournament's website.

"The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has long marked the beginning of the men's global tennis season and I am excited and honored to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event."

One of the most successful and celebrated tennis players of all time, Williams could equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam victories next month in Melbourne.

shs/aw  (AFP, dpa)