Williams still expected in Brisbane

BRISBANE, Australia — Brisbane International organizers say Serena Williams still plans to compete at the Dec. 30-to-Jan. 5 tournament despite minor surgery on her big toes which forced her to withdraw from a Dec. 29 exhibition in Thailand.

Brisbane tournament director Cameron Pearson said Thursday he had been assured by Williams' agent that the WTA player of the year will "be fit and ready" for the event at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

Williams has been affected by chronic foot problems since treading on glass and badly cutting both feet in 2010.

The five-time Australian Open winner played at last year's Brisbane International but pulled out with an ankle injury at the quarterfinals. Later in the year, she won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and gold in women's singles at the London Olympics.

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