MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former world number one and new mum Serena Williams is targeting a return to Melbourne Park next year to defend her Australian Open title, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Tuesday. Williams, who won her 23rd grand slam title when pregnant at the 2017 tournament in January, gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on Sept. 1. She has just three months to get fit if she is to defend her title. "She wants to come back in 2018 and defend her title and she's in training now. The 36-year-old would be competing for a tournament record A$4 million (£2.36 million) winner's purse in 2018, with total prize money hiked 10 percent to A$55 million.

Source: The Star October 10, 2017 04:18 UTC