Serena Williams opened the season winning her Open Era-record 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open—breaking the record she shared with Steffi Graf.

Graf believes Serena can "absolutely" break Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 major titles.

Watch: Goerges Tops Vandeweghe For Zhuhai Crown

"Absolutely, yes," Graf told the media and fans in Zhuhai today where she was on hand for the WTA Elite Trophy final. "I think a lot of it is determined on her drive and if that is what she wants to do."

The 36-year-old Williams gave birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia, on September 1st.

Williams has not played since winning the Melbourne major, but in a conference call with the media before giving birth she said she plans to return to the pro circuit in 2018.

"I plan on coming back. I plan on playing. But at the same time, this is a whole new chapter in my life. So I’ll see how that is,” Serena said.



Serena's coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has said she aims to return to defend her Australian Open championship in January.

Graf believes Williams will eclipse Court's record.

"It sounds from what I hear that she is looking to come back to tennis, and you know everything that she has shown over her career just makes you believe that if she has that in her sights, then she will go after it and achieve it," Graf said.

Photo credit: WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai