Serena: 24 Slams still a focus

The 36-year-old, who gave birth to her first daughter Alexis Olympia in September, decided to pull out of the Australian Open following concerns over her ability to make an impact in Melbourne.

Williams won the last of her 23 Grand Slams in Australia last year, defeating her sister Venus in the final when, it would later emerge, she was in the early stages of her pregnancy.

The American former world No.1 had returned to the court on December 30 at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, where she lost an exhibition match against Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion.

Despite admitting she was “not where I personally want to be” in announcing her withdrawal from the Australian Open, which starts on January 15, Williams told Vogue she was determined to return to a competitive level sooner rather than later.

Williams also revealed she suffered a health scare after giving birth, saying she “spent the first six weeks of motherhood unable to get out of bed” due to small blood clots in her lungs.

“Maybe this goes without saying, but it needs to be said in a powerful way: I absolutely want more grand slams. I’m well aware of the record books, unfortunately. It’s not a secret that I have my sights on 25, and actually, I think having a baby might help,” Williams told the February edition of the magazine.

“When I’m too anxious I lose matches, and I feel like a lot of that anxiety disappeared when Olympia was born.

“Knowing I’ve got this beautiful baby to go home to makes me feel like I don’t have to play another match. I don’t need the money or the titles or the prestige. I want them, but I don’t need them. That’s a different feeling for me.”