Serena Williams ’path to her 24th major title could include meetings with several other players with Grand Slam titles reopened at the 2021 Australian Open.
Williams, who will try for the 11th time to match Margaret Court ‘s record for career Grand Slam titles, was seeded 10th when they were drawn for the first 2021 first on Friday. The 39-year-old American is in the middle of a draw featuring seven Grand Slam champions, including four former world No. 1 picks.
The Australian Open kicks off on Monday in Melbourne, about a month late due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams’ run at the Australian Open comes after she pulled out of a strained event on Friday, citing an injured right shoulder after defeating her American teammate Danielle Collins in the quarter-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic.
Williams plans to open in the Australian Open against Laura Siegmund of Germany. A quarter of the grave could play against No. 2 Simona Halep of Romania.
Ashleigh Barty, of Australia, and fourth-seed defensive champion Sofia Kenin of the United States highlight the top half of the draw. Last year, Kenin defeated Barty in the semifinals.
No. 3 Naomi Osaka from Japan, No. 5 Elina Svitolina from Ukraine, No. 6 Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic, No. 7 Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, No. 8 Bianca Andreescu from Canada and No. 9 Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic around the 10 the best.
If Williams advanced, she could face Halep, Osaka and Barty in succession.
Williams’ sister Venus is seedless and is up against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium in the first round. The Williams sisters clashed in the 2017 final of the event, when Serena Williams won and took home the latest of her seven Australian Open competitions.