Serena Williams intent on winning record-equalling grand slam at Australian Open

Serena Williams will let her actions do the talking this summer, determined to resume her pursuit of Margaret Court’s grand slam record and distancing herself from the US Open final controversy.

Serena Williams lost an exhibition match to sister Venus in Dubai. Picture: AP

Actions rather than words are Serena Williams Australian summer currency.

The American has hit the Hopman Cup practice courts under the watchful eye of coach Patrick Mouratoglou as she resumes her pursuit of Margaret Court’s grand slam record.

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But, as history beckons, Williams is keeping her counsel as she reflects on a year of incredible achievement and tumult.

The winner of 23 grand slam singles crowns is deliberately working to distance herself from the US Open final controversy and instead focus on history’s siren call at Melbourne Park.

Serena Williams practises in Perth as she prepares for the Hopman Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Training ahead of her opening Hopman Cup match against Greek Maria Sakkari on Monday, Williams was a familiar ball of intensity.

Yet to face the media in Perth, Williams crushed groundstrokes with chilling purpose.

The American will equal Court’s 45-year-old record of 24 majors if she wins an eighth grand slam crown at Melbourne Park from January 14-27.

Court, who is expected to be absent from the Australian Open, logged the last of her grand slam singles crowns at the 1973 US Open.

While she is predictably reluctant to revisit her US Open clash with umpire Carlos Ramos, the 37-year-old has made it clear reaching – and passing Court’s tally – is a burning objective.

“It has always been significant since I got 22 (titles), then 23,” Williams told the WTA.

“It’s something that I clearly want but I have to be able to get there and beat a lot of good players to get it.”

Serena Williams signs autographs after her training sessions. Picture: Getty Images

Williams won her most recent major at the 2017 Australian Open when she was pregnant with daughter Alexis Olympia.

Williams has been accompanied to Perth by her husband Alexis Ohanian and the couple’s daughter.

While there will be plenty of interest in Williams’ performance against Sakkari, there is overwhelming focus on her mixed doubles clash with Roger Federer on Tuesday.

Williams will team with Frances Tiafoe, while Federer will partner Belinda Bencic.

Serena Williams arrives at Perth International Airport with husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter Alexis Olympia for the Hopman Cup. Picture: Faith Moran/Backgrid

Before arriving in Australia, Williams declared she had no interest in discussing her controversial US Open final confrontation with umpire Carlos Ramos.

“I don’t avoid anything,” she said.

“I just don’t have time to talk about that.

“I talked about it, everyone talked about it for months and months and months and it’s best to move onto bigger and better things.”

Williams received a code violation warning for coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou, a penalty point for racquet and abuse and then was docked a game for calling Ramos a “thief” during the loss.

The tumultuous clash book-ended an otherwise excellent return to competition after the birth of her child.

Williams’ season was highlighted by surges to the Wimbledon final, where she was beaten by Angelique Kerber, and the US Open decider.