Serena Williams to Play at Indian Wells in 1st Tournament Since Giving Birth

Serena Williams will return to WTA action at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, which begins March 5. 

The tournament announced Thursday that Williams will participate, which will be her first event back since giving birth to her daughter in September:

Williams has been out since winning the 2017 Australian Open. She was eight weeks pregnant at the time of the tournament and took a break following the Australian Open to prepare for and subsequently recover from the birth.

In an interview with Vogue's Rob Haskell, the 23-time major champion detailed the health problems she encountered after giving birth. She became short of breath, and doctors discovered small blood clots that had formed in her lungs. The wound from her C-section then opened. When operating on Williams' abdomen, doctors found a hematoma that had "flooded her abdomen," according to Haskell.

Upon returning home from the hospital, Williams was unable to leave her bed for six weeks.

Williams withdrew from the 2018 Australian Open, citing the need for more recovery time before she played competitively again.

Williams is a two-time champion at Indian Wells, most recently taking home the 2001 title. She ended a self-imposed 14-year boycott of the event in 2015.

Her father, Richard Williams, had said he was racially abused by fans at Indian Wells in 2001, and fans also booed Serena throughout the 2001 final against Kim Clijsters.

Barring any setbacks in her return, Williams should be able to play in the final three Grand Slams of the 2018 season. She needs one more Grand Slam win to tie Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles ever.