The tournament director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, has said Serena Williams has entered the competition.
The 36-year-old has taken time out of the sport to give birth to her daughter, Alexis.
Williams, who is only one behind Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam titles, won this year's event in Melbourne while in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Tiley said the American is "very likely" to return to tennis in Melbourne and is back in practice.