Former World number one tennis player Serena Williams (USA) plans to return to court early next year and defend its title at the Australian Open in January 15-28, race director Craig Thayley announced.`The 36-year-old American on September 1 gave birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia Ogunyan.` `Srina will return.` She wants to play at the Australian Open and defend her title, she has already trained and has enough time tophysically prepare, `Thayley said. Williams wins the 23rdwas a Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park at the beginning of this season, and later became aware that she was already pregnant at that time.