Former world No.1 Serena Williams will return to tennis next week at an exhibition event in the United Arab Emirates.
The 36-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match on the tour since winning her 23rd grand slam title at the Australian Open in January. Since then, Williams gave birth to her first child in September, a baby girl called Alexis, and then married her partner.
Sources have told UAE newspaper Sport 360 that Williams will participate in the annual Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC). An exhibition tournament that has previously been exclusively for men. She is set to play on Saturday 30th December at the Zayed Sports City, the third day of the event. The report has now been officially confirmed by the MWTC with Williams saying that she is looking forward to her historic debut.
“I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter in September.” Said Williams.
“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.”
Taking on Williams will be French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. The 20-year-old Latvian has never played Williams on the WTA Tour. Ostapenko is currently at a ranking best of seventh in the world.
“I am thrilled to be playing in Abu Dhabi at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.” She said.
“This will be the first time that women have taken part in the event and it is a huge honour to be part of that history after watching the tournament for many years. Last season was really incredible for me and I cannot wait to continue the start of my new season at such an amazing event.”
For the first time in the history of #MWTC, we’re bringing you two of the world’s best female players! #MWTC10 will see 23-time Grand Slam champion @serenawilliams making her comeback against the 2017 #rolandgarros Champion Jelena Ostapenko, as they play each other on Day 3! pic.twitter.com/S3uWvxkpa5
— Mubadala World Tennis Championship (@MubadalaWTC) December 24, 2017
Australian Open speculation
Williams’ return next week fuels speculation that she is preparing to defend her title at the Australian Open, less than four months after giving birth. Recently it was confirmed that she has once again been appointed brand ambassador for AccorHotels during the first major of the year. The hotel chain is an official partner of the Australian Open. In a press release, their Asia Pacific CEO, Michael Issenberg, hinted that Williams would be playing in Melbourne.
“After taking home the Australian Open title last year while secretly in the early stages of her pregnancy, the eyes of the world will be on Serena this year as she plays her first major tournament after having her daughter.” Issenberg said in a statement.
The presence of Williams in Abu Dhabi will be a much needed goldmine for the withdrawal-hit MTWC. Recently the event has been marred by a series of high profile absences from the men’s tournament. Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic have all cancelled their attendance.
The MTWC will start on December 28th and will be the tenth edition of the event. Williams will take on Ostapenko at 17:00 local time (GMT+4) on Saturday 30th December.
