Serena Williams targets comeback at the Australian Open in January

Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

New Mum Serena Williams will be playing in Australia in January to defend her title, her coach Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou hinted on Twitter on Friday.

The 35-year-old American, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has not competed since winning the Australian Open in January but has posted several videos to social media showing her hitting balls during her pregnancy.

Congratulations @SerenaWilliams for your baby girl. I am so happy for you and I feel your emotion. Recover well & without limitation,” Mouratoglou wrote.

Btw @SerenaWilliams … I wish you a speedy recovery… we have a lot of work ahead of us,” he added.

Fellow American Sloane Stephens said she expected to see a lot of the newborn and cannot wait to see the little baby girl on tour with her mom.

Williams, the world’s highest-paid female athlete confirmed her pregnancy in April after triggering frenzied speculation when she accidentally posted a short-lived selfie on social media with the caption: “20 weeks”.

She was also about two months pregnant when she captured her 23rd grand slam singles title at the Australian Open, one short of the all-time record held by Australian Margaret Court.

She told Vogue magazine last month about her “outrageous plan” to defend her title in Australia next January, where the year’s first grand slam will be played from January 15-28.

Other women have left the tour to have children and returned at a high level, although none has done so at Williams’ age.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium retired and had a child before coming back at age 26 and winning three grand slam titles.

Australians Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Court also won grand slam titles after having children.