Williams reached the final of the mixed team event earlier this year
with American compatriot John Isner to kick off a superb season
where she won the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon to take
her grand slam singles haul to 21.
"Perth definitely started something quite amazing so I think it’s
only natural and fair and reasonable that I go back to Perth,” the
34-year-old said in a statement. "We were so close to winning last
year. I’m really excited to be back."
Williams added that the Hopman Cup was excellent preparation for the
Australian Open.
"In 2016 I want to play doubles in Australia so it will be really
exciting for me to get there, play some doubles and get some little
experience at the Hopman Cup," she said.
Williams has not played since suffering a shock semi-final defeat to
Italian Roberta Vinci at the U.S. Open last month which ended her
bid for a rare calendar grand slam.
She pulled out of two events in China earlier this month, we well as
next week's WTA Finals in Singapore, citing the need to rest after a
year spent carrying injuries.
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Williams will be joined in the Jan. 3-9 Hopman Cup field by Briton
Andy Murray and controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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