Williams Sisters to Return in Australia

The Williams sisters, absent since Serena claimed her sixth grand slam by beating Venus at Wimbledon in July, are set to make their comebacks in Australia next year.

Since Wimbledon, they have been usurped at the top by the Belgian pair of Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters. Serena has been recovering from a knee operation while Venus has been hampered by a long-term abdominal injury suffered before the French Open. Their lives were further disrupted by the recent murder of their half-sister, Yetunde.

"It's been a long road, but in general, I feel well," said Venus before the end-of-season championship which begins in Los Angeles this evening. "I'm disappointed I couldn't be in the championship, but until a few weeks ago, I was down and out with the injury. I shouldn't have played the French Open."

Both sisters missed the US Open and neither would say how much time they have been practising since Wimbledon. "Obviously, I miss it a lot," said Serena, who added that her injured knee was better and that she intended playing in the Hopman Cup, the Perth exhibition event before Melbourne. Venus is currently not planning to play in any warm-up events before the Australian Open starting on January 19.

With Lindsay Davenport, who has had a foot operation, also absent, the eight-woman Los Angeles event is headed by Clijsters, the No1, and Henin-Hardenne, No2. The six others are Jennifer Capriati, Chanda Rubin, Amélie Mauresmo, Elena Dementieva, Anastasia Myskina and Ai Sugiyama.

Henin-Hardenne has a fever and has asked officials for a start tomorrow. If she reaches the semi-finals, she will finish the season as world No1.