Serena Williams to make comeback in Abu Dhabi on Saturday after giving birth

December 24, 2017 at 16:14

• Williams to face Jelena Ostapenko in a Mubadala exhibition match
• American plans to make competitive return at Australian Open in January

Serena Williams will make her playing comeback following the birth of her daughter at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Williams has not played since she won the Australian Open in January, while six weeks pregnant, but will return to court to play the French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition match.

he 36-year-old, who gave birth to Alexis Jr in September, is planning to make a competitive return at the Australian Open next month.

“I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter in September,” Williams told 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 honoured to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event.

“I look forward to seeing the fans in Abu Dhabi at the 10th edition of the championship very soon.”