Seven  time  champion Serena Williams “wants to come back” and defend her Australian Open title, less than six months after giving birth to her first child.

That’s  the  word  from  tournament  organisers  who   have declared that  Williams   will return to Melbourne Park in January.

She was eight weeks pregnant when she won a record 23rd major at last January’s Australian Open.

Australian open tournament director Craig Tiley said Williams, who turned 36 last month, was back in training to defend her title.

Williams and the women’s draw will be chasing record prize money worth $4 million, the same figure to be awarded to the men’s winner.