Serena Williams to play in Hobart WTA

SYDNEY—Former world No.1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will play in the Hobart WTA International in January, tournament organisers said.
The 25-year-old American, one of only five players in tennis history to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles at the same time, will use the tournament to prepare for the yearÂ?s opening Grand Slam the Australian Open in mid-January.
“I am determined to return to the top of the rankings and think that preparing for the Australian Open at Hobart will be a great start,” Williams said.
Tennis AustraliaÂ?s Director of Player Development Craig Tiley said the 95-ranked Williams will receive a wild card if she needs requires it to play in Hobart.
“ItÂ?s terrific news that the Hobart International will be able to showcase a marquee player like Serena at the 2007 event,” Tiley said in a statement.
“Depending on what the ranking cut-off for main draw direct acceptance is, Serena may require a wild-card, which weÂ?d happily offer.”
Williams has collected 15 Grand Slam titles (seven singles, six doubles and two mixed doubles), including singles titles at all four of the majors, and accumulated more than 16 million US dollars in prize money.
She became one of only five players in history to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles at once when she won Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open in 2002 before claiming the Australian Open crown in 2003.
Williams also won the Australian Open in 2005.
The 170,000 USD Hobart International will be staged from January 7-12. Russian world No.13 Anna Chakvetadze will be the highest-ranked player to contest the Tasmanian event.