Serena Williams and Roger Federer to face-off in Mixed Doubles
Serena Williams is set to confront Roger Federer in her first occasion of the 2019 season when the USA play Switzerland in the blended copies at the Hopman Cup.
Williams, 37, has not played since her controversial US Open final defeat by Naomi Osaka in September.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion accomplices Frances Tiafoe, while 20-time Grand Slam victor Federer and Belinda Bencic will look for to defend their title.
"The Aussie fans are generally so warm and strong and the Hopman Cup has constantly given me an incredible begin to the season, particularly in front of the Australian Open," said Williams, who chose to avoid whatever remains of the 2018 season after the US Open.
For Williams, this will be her first appearance in Australia since the 2017 Australian Open when she was two months pregnant with her girl. Williams, who beat her sister Venus Williams in the ladies singles last in the Australian Open in 2017 missed the 2018 version of the Grand Slam as she was not completely fit after the introduction of her girl Olympia.
The Hopman Cup keeps running from 29 December until 5 January, with the 2019 Australian Open occurring from 14-27 January.
Teams
Group A
France - Lucas Pouille and Alize Cornet
Spain - David Ferrer and Garbine Muguruza
Germany - Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber
Australia - Matt Ebden and Ashleigh Barty
Group B
Great Britain - Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter
Greece - Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari
Switzerland - Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic
USA - Frances Tiafoe and Serena Williams
