Serena Williams was in Indian Wells last month to watch her sister Venus

World number one Serena Williams will return to action for the first time since the Australian Open at next month's Italian Open.

The American, 28, has been struggling with a knee injury and has not played since winning her 12th Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January.

She has been given a wild card for the Italian Open, which begins on 3 May.

Williams, the 2002 champion, is among nine of the world's top 10 in the field, with only Kim Clijsters absent.

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