Former world number one Serena Williams is expected to make her return to the tennis court in Abu Dhabi next week despite giving birth in September.

The 36-year old American will play world number seven Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition match on December 30 during the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

On her return, Williams, who has an Open-era record of 23 Grand Slams, revealed that she was “delighted to be returning to the court”.

The world number 22 has not played since winning the Australian Open in January.

She gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September.