Melbourne: Seven-time champion Serena Williams will be back at the Australian Open next year having missed her title defence this year after giving birth to her first child, organisers confirmed, Tuesday.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner, who won on her last appearance in 2017 while pregnant, will be joined in January’s tournament by double Melbourne Park champion Victoria Azarenka who was forced to withdraw from the 2018 event because of a custody battle with her baby’s father.
“I’m delighted to announce that Serena Williams will return to the Australian Open in January,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said while launching the 2019 event at Rod Laver Arena.
Williams needs one more Grand Slam singles victory to equal Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24. “Serena loves coming to Melbourne and I know she’s excited about returning in January with her family, it’s definitely a very special place for her,” added Tiley.
Six-time men’s winners Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, who captured his 20th Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January, look to be among the players to beat again in 2019. Britain’s Andy Murray is also expected to return to the Rod Laver Arena after the five-time losing finalist missed this year’s tournament with injury.
Tiley also informed that prize money at the January 14-27 tournament will be increased to Aus$60.5 million (USD 42.9 million) from Aus$55 million in 2018 – split equally between men’s and women’s tournaments. The 2018 singles winners Federer and Caroline Wozniacki both picked up cheques for Aus$4 million (USD 2.83 million).
The tournament will also introduce a 25-second serve clock to speed up play, after the innovation made its Slam debut at this year’s US Open. “The 25-second serve clock will be introduced for all matches,” said Tiley.