Serena Williams Has Entered 2018 Australian Open, Could Very Likely Defend Title

Serena Williams has entered the Australian Open in January, tournament director Craig Tiley has said.

Serena Williams Tennis Return News

The 36-year-old — who had her first child, a daughter with fiancee Alexis Ohanian in September — won this year’s tournament in Melbourne.

Tiley added he believes Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, is likely to defend her Australian Open title.

“She’s got her visa, she’s entered, she’s practicing,” he said. “There’s no question she’ll be ready in our view.”

Williams has won the event seven times.

Australia’s Margaret Court, with 24, is the only player still ahead of Serena in terms of Grand Slam singles titles.

“She wants to break a record that is Margaret Court’s,” added Tiley. “It would be a pretty significant accomplishment for her to be able to do that.”

Williams would also break an Open era record with and eighth title in Melbourne.

The Australian Open is known for being a family friendly competition. Five-time winner Roger Federer has taken his family of four children there and to other major events several times.

Williams and her fiancee recently took vacations to several fun locations, including Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Serena Williams of the United States serves in her semifinal match against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia on day 11 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)