Serena to Return Saturday in Abu Dhabi Exhibition

December 26, 2017 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: EPIX

Serena Williams has announced her official return to the courts, Saturday, Dec. 30 in an exhibition at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi against 2017 French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko.

“The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has long marked the beginning of the men’s global tennis season, and I am excited and honored to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event,” said Serena in a statement. “I look forward to seeing the fans in Abu Dhabi at the 10th edition of the Championship very soon.”

Serena added her name to the recently released list of Australian Open women. She made her last appearance in early 2017 Down Under, claiming her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Shortly after, she announced her pregnancy and gave birth to her daughter, daughter Alexis Olympia, on Sept. 1st. She then married Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans on Nov. 16th.

“It is perfect timing in many ways as all eyes are on Serena ahead of the Australian Open,” said Vickie Gunnarsson, Tournament Director of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. “What is she going to do? When is she going to come back? How is her form? So there is just so much interest around her so we are very happy to have her here.”


 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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