Serena to play Brisbane despite surgery
Tournament organisers say Serena Williams will take part in this month's Brisbane International despite undergoing minor surgery on her problematic feet.
Brisbane, Australia, 20 December 2012 | AAP
Organisers say Serena Williams will take part in this month’s Brisbane International tennis tournament despite undergoing minor surgery on her problematic feet.
The 15-time Grand Slam winner has withdrawn from an exhibition match in Thailand following the surgery but Brisbane International tournament director Cameron Pearson says he’s been assured by Williams’ agent that the superstar will compete at Pat Rafter Arena.
“She’ll be fit and ready for Brisbane,” Pearson told AAP on Thursday.
“She just needed a little bit more time than what the Thailand exhibition match gave her to be ready.
“I guess it’s a bit of a compliment that she wants to tailor her preparation around playing Brisbane.”
The American world No.3 has been dogged by foot problems after stepping on glass and badly cutting both feet in 2010.
Williams will be joining eight of the world’s top 10 women’s players for the Brisbane tournament including No.1-ranked Victoria Azarenka and No.2 Maria Sharapova.
A five-time Australian Open winner, Williams played at last year’s Brisbane International but pulled out with an ankle injury at the quarterfinal stage.
The Brisbane International begins on 30 December.