Serena Williams’ coach has cast doubt over whether she will compete at the Australian Open in 2018, saying there is still a ‘decision’ to be made.
The defending champion hasn’t played since beating her sister Venus Williams in the final at Melbourne Park earlier this year, giving birth to her first child in September.
Having won the title while pregnant, attention has since turned to whether she will be able to defend her crown some four months after welcoming her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr to the world.
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Williams insisted she would be trying to get ready to return as she looks to match Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slam titles, while Australian Open director Craig Tiley claimed ‘Serena will be back’ just a month ago.
But the 36-year-old’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou suggested it was by no means a certainty that she will be lining up at the first major of 2018.
‘Serena is getting ready for 2018. She is practising and getting back in shape. I will be joining her soon in Florida,’ he told CNN.
‘We will see how her body is reacting and how her tennis level is and we will take a decision regarding Australia.’
