Serena expected to play at Brisbane tournament

Serena Williams has been dogged by foot problems after stepping on glass and badly cutting both feet in 2010.

John Donegan/AP

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Brisbane International organizers say Serena Williams still plans to compete in the Dec. 30-Jan. 5 event despite minor surgery on her big toes that 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 because of an ankle injury at the quarterfinals. Later in the year, she won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the women's singles title in the London Olympics.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.