The GOAT, aka Serena Williams, is set to play next Saturday at the Mubadala exhibition tennis event in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It will be her first time playing tennis since giving birth and winning the Australian Open 11 months ago.
As CNN reports, Williams’ last tournament win was even more legendary than usual, given that she was two months pregnant at the time. In Abu Dhabi, she will take on Jelena Ostapenko, the French Open champion. It will be the first time the two players square off against each other.
Williams’ and Ostapenko’s appearances at the Mubadala exhibition will also make history because the tournament had previously been for men only.
“I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter in September,” Williams said in a statement announcing her return. “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. I look forward to seeing the fans in Abu Dhabi at the 10th edition of the championship very soon.”
Meanwhile, Williams appears to be enjoying motherhood, posting this photo Sunday of herself and her newborn daughter, Alexis Olympia.
Read more at CNN.
DISCUSSION
Serena is the sweetest. Long story with many improbable events that led to being face to face with her outside the locker room after a US Open rainout way back when. She was around 22, me around 52 and I’m flushed and speechless. And she was so gracious. She had a charismatic way back then that you can see today. Wishing you nothing but the best this season, Serena.