Mom-to-be Williams planning tennis return

PARIS Midway through this year’s French Open, the list of active female Grand Slam champions had already been ground into the red dust, setting the stage for Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia to become the first unseeded player to win the Roland Garros title in tennis’s open era.

The most decorated champion of the open era? She was in Paris, too, plotting her return.

Serena Williams, six months pregnant, showed up in the leafy confines of the 16th Arrondissement to cheer on her sister, Venus. But it was clear the American star arrived with a dual mission. She was in town to strategize her post-maternity return to competition.

“I’m sure she’s going to come back,” said her coach, the Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou.

Mouratoglou explained that when Williams called to tell him she was expecting (with fiance and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian), she asked him in the same sentence if he would wait for her. Several months later, her tune is the same.

“Nothing has changed,” he emphasized, recalling their hourslong conversation at Roland Garros. “We had a talk three days ago here, a long talk. Basically, she wanted to talk about what’s the plan to come back. When do we start? What do we do? With who? She’s really into it. Tennis is her life.”

That leaves the bigger questions of how soon the American will be able to come back, and in what state.

Only three women have won majors after giving birth: Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, and most recently, Kim Clijsters, who captured three of her four Grand Slams after having a daughter, Jada, in 2008.

None was older than 31 when they returned. Williams will turn 36 in September.

“But that’s the story of her life,” said Mouratoglou of Williams, who emerged with her sister from the tough streets of Compton, Calif., and redefined race and gender in the sport. “How many times did she impress you? And every time she finds something new to impress.”

Mouratoglou and Williams have proven a potent pair. Since teaming up at Wimbledon in 2012, they have won 10 Grand Slam crowns.

Even now, Williams continues to hit balls to maintain some semblance of rhythm.

Mouratoglou did not rule out a return as early as the Australian Open, which begins in mid-January. He said in their discussion, however, they agreed Williams would not suit up until she was prepared to win titles.

“She asked me about it, and I just told her do to everything you’re allowed to do day-in and day-out and then we’ll see if you’re ready,” he said.

Mouratoglou acknowledged that Williams was “bored” and predicted she would be champing at the bit to compete.

“Believe me, after four months she will be dreaming to go to tournaments,” he said.