08 January,2009 12:39 PM IST | | AFP
World No 2 Serena Williams said today she has recovered from a hamstring injury and was ready for an assault on a fourth Australian Open crown later this month.
u00a0
The nine-time grand slam winner is the top seed for the Sydney WTA International, getting under way here on Sunday.
u00a0
ALSO READ
Serena Williams says she had a benign cyst removed from her neck and ''''all is OK''''
Nushrratt spends 'an evening in Paris' with 'Blair to her Serena' Ishita Raj
Serena-inspired win!
Serena Williams visits US Open for the first time since playing her last match
Serena Williams visits the US Open for the first time since playing her last match there in 2022
The reigning US Open champion, 27, was scheduled to begin her year in this week's Hopman Cup mixed teams event in Perth, partnering James Blake, but pulled out last month with the hamstring injury.
u00a0
Williams gave herself the all clear when she arrived here today.
u00a0
"I don't think I have any hammy (hamstring) problems. I'm good, yeah," she told reporters.
u00a0
Williams finished last season ranked only behind Serbian Jelena Jankovic, having hit the top spot for four weeks and is planning another shot at the number one ranking.
u00a0
"I am. I'm close," Williams said. "I'm just looking forward to playing in the tournament here."
u00a0
Among her major rivals in Sydney will be three Russians -- world number three Dinara Safina, Beijing Olympic champion Elena Dementieva and 2008 Sydney finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova.
u00a0
Williams is returning to Sydney for the first time in seven years, while older sister Venus has opted to start her season this week in a teams event in Hong Kong.
u00a0
Williams won the Australian Open in 2007, 2005 and 2003.
u00a0
