Serena Williams to make comeback

London : Serena Williams will return to tennis in Abu Dhabi next week, almost four months after giving birth.

The American, 36, will play world number seven Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition match on 30 December during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Williams said she was “delighted to be returning to the court”.

She gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September.

Former world number one Williams has not played since winning the Australian Open in January. Coach Patrick Mouratoglou said in November that no decision had been made over whether Williams would play in the season’s first Grand Slam.

Australian Open director Craig Tilley has said Williams is “very likely” to defend her title at the 2018 tournament.