Serena stands in for Rafa

SERENA Williams’s chances of defending her Australian Open crown have soared after a bizarre set of circumstances paved the way for the American to headline a traditionally men-only event.

Williams, 36, will face French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in Abu Dhabi on December 30 in her first match since giving birth to her daughter in September.

The opportunity to take the court for a match for the first time since winning a seventh Australian title in January came after a string of male superstars withdrew from the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.

The event is typically used by a small group of highly paid men to prepare for the Australian Open.

But with the withdrawals of Rafael Nadal, Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka, organisers suddenly had a void to fill — and they landed paydirt with Williams and Ostapenko.

Williams, who has won 23 grand slams titles, said she was “delighted to be returning to the court”. She gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September.

Williams said: “I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the birth of my daughter in September.

“The Mubadala World Tennis Championship has long marked the beginning of the men’s global tennis season and I am excited and honoured to be making my comeback as part of the first women to participate in the event.”

Williams has not pencilled in any other lead-up matches to the January 15-28 Australian Open.