Serena hints she will play Australian Open

Five-times Australian Open champion Serena Williams has given a hint on Twitter that she may be fit for this year's tournament after an injury scare.

Williams was forced to withdraw from the Brisbane International after spraining her ankle during her second-round win over Serbian Bojana Jovanovski on Wednesday.

The 13-times Grand Slam winner on Friday indicated her recovery was going well ahead of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, starting on January 16.

"I am doing a lot better," Williams tweeted to her 2.3 million followers.

"Tks for the well wishes. I love u all. Big kiss."

"Being an athlete requires sacrifice, discipline & heart. There is no winning without hard work. I'm about to overcome this," she said.