Former US Open champion Sam Stosur has backed 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams to make a remarkable comeback, four months after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia.
Stosur, a former World No. 4, is expecting the 36-year-old to arrive in Australia only after reviewing her game in numerous practice sessions with her coach Patrick Mouratoglou. And according to Stosur, Serena wouldn’t have decided to participate in the Australian Open if she didn’t believe that she could defend her title in Melbourne.
Before taking part in the ‘Happy Slam’ Down Under, the American superstar will be making an appearance in Abu Dhabi where she will be playing in an exhibition against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko on Saturday.
“I think it’d be absolutely remarkable if she does — it would be one of the quickest comebacks ever,” Australian No. 3 Stosur said.
“Given the changes and everything she would’ve gone through I wouldn’t expect her to be out here if she doesn’t feel like she’s ready to play at her best.
“But if anyone is going to come back after a few months, you wouldn’t bet against Serena, that’s for sure.’’
“If she comes down here I think we’ve all got to be ready to think she’s here to win,” Stosur said.
As the world No. 41, Stosur, who was troubled by a hand injury, which forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon and the US Open, will not be seeded at the Brisbane International. However, the 33-year-old is hoping to get past a few rounds, unlike last year when she was beaten by current Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza in the first round.
“To do well here would be an amazing feeling but I’m not going to weigh my whole year and rest of career on the next three, four weeks,” she said.
“It’s been probably a bit more of an unconventional pre-season for me in some ways but it’s been really good,’’ she added.
