Serena says she is '130% fit' to defend her Australian Open title

World No 1 Serena Williams ruled out surgery to fix a persistent knee problem on Saturday as she declared herself "130 per cent fit" for the Australian Open

Melbourne: World No 1 Serena Williams ruled out surgery to fix a persistent knee problem on Saturday as she declared herself "130 per cent fit" for the Australian Open.

USA's Serena Williams during a practice session in Melbourne on Saturday. Pic/AFP

The 21-time Grand Slam champion, gunning for a seventh title at Melbourne Park, retired due to soreness in her left knee during a singles match on January 6 at Hopman in Perth.

It was the 34-year-old's comeback after some three months away from tennis as she battled knee issues which sparked fears that nearly 20 years on tour was finally taking its toll.

Williams appeared downbeat as she spoke to journalists, but she insisted all was well and that surgery would not be needed anytime soon. "No, it's actually really fine. I don't have any inflammation anymore.

"It's just that I just needed some time to get over that little hump. Like I said, I've been doing a lot of training leading up to this. I don't think I would need surgery at all.

"I'm at 120, 130 per cent right now," she said.

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