Serena Williams of the US hits a return against Venus Williams of the US during the women's singles final on day 13 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Greg Wood / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
Serena Williams will play in next year's Australian Open, five months after giving birth to daughter, Alexis Olympia.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley revealed on Wednesday Williams has entered the first Grand Slam of the year.
“She's got her visa, she's entered, she's practicing and she's probably just got to find a bit more space for a bigger entourage,” Tiley said.
“There's no question that she'll be ready in our view and she wants to break a record that is Margaret Court's.
“It would be a pretty significant accomplishment for her to be able to do that.”
However, Tiley said he is none the wiser on Australian Bernard Tomic's intentions, with the 25-year-old yet to enter the Australian Open's wildcard playoff tournament.
“It's an ongoing conversation,” he said.
“Bernard's got an open invitation from Lleyton (Hewitt) to come and play the wildcard playoff, and we hope he does because if he gets that opportunity then he gets the opportunity to get a wildcard.
“That's why we put it on - for the players that are not quite in the main draw.
“Bernie will have a number of opportunities ... anything is possible.”