In this Nov. 4, 2012, file photo, Serena Williams of the U.S. returns a serve from sister Venus during an exhibition tennis match at Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa. Williams has had surgery on her big toes and withdrew from an exhibition match against top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in Thailand in December. AP
BRISBANE, Australia — Serena Williams has arrived for the Brisbane International and says she’s fine after minor foot surgery that forced her to withdraw from a Thailand exhibition.
Williams, who will be chasing a sixth Australian Open singles title beginning Jan. 14 in Melbourne, has been affected by chronic foot problems since treading on glass and badly cutting both feet in 2010.
The 15-time Grand Slam singles champion said Friday “the foot is better … it has come through fine.”
Williams this year won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and London Olympics singles gold.
Caroline Wozniacki arrived with her golfer boyfriend Rory McIlroy at Brisbane airport shortly after Williams.
Maria Sharapova will also play in the tournament that begins Sunday, while U.S. Open champion Andy Murray heads the men’s draw.