Serena Williams will return to Melbourne aiming to make major history.

The 2017 Australian Open champion will play the Melbourne major for the first time since defeating sister Venus to claim her 23rd career Grand Slam title.

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Williams, who was Wimbledon and US Open runner-up this year, can match Margaret Court's all-time Grand Slam record by winning her 24th major in Melbourne in January.

"I’m delighted to announce that Serena Williams will return to the Australian Open in January,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said while previewing the 2019 tournament at Rod Laver Arena. “We last saw Serena here in Melbourne as our champion, holding the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Cup in 2017. Of course what we didn’t know at the time was that she was already eight weeks pregnant with baby Olympia.

"Serena loves coming to Melbourne and I know she’s excited about returning in January with her family, it’s definitely a very special place for her. She’ll also be super-focused on winning here, and equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.”