Thursday 24 May 2018 14:21, UK
Serena Williams will return to competitive tennis next month when she represents the United States in the opening round of the Fed Cup.
The 36-year-old has not played since last year's Australian Open, after which she announced she was pregnant, giving birth to her first child on September 1.
Williams had originally planned to return in Melbourne last week, but opted to extend her absence after playing an exhibition match on December 30.
The United States Tennis Association has announced that she will represent her country in the Fed Cup against the Netherlands in North Carolina, on February 10-11.
Joining Williams in the team, skippered by Kathy Rinaldi, will be sister Venus.
Serena last played for the States in April 2015, with Venus making her latest outing in February 2016.
The hosts will face the Netherlands on an indoor hard court, with CoCo Vandeweghe also part of the team.
A fourth member of the squad will be announced next week.
The United States have won the Fed Cup 18 times, most recently last year which was their first success since 2000.
