Sydney - Serena Williams arrived in Australia on Thursday vowing to begin her tennis year in style and playing down any talk of the injuries which plagued her in late 2008.

The self-absorbed three-time Australian open winner will take her place in the field at next week's Medibank International after weeks of speculation about her fitness - or lack of it.

The American, as usual, offered little information: "I don't think I have any hamstring problems, I'm good, yeah."

Williams last played in a round-robin match at the year-end championships, giving away the third set 6-0 to her sister Venus.

Williams had pulled from this week's Hopman Cup in Perth, claiming injury but apparently privately assuring WTA Sydney organisers that she would arrive for their event.

The world number two will be desperately short of matches when she begins the 2009 campaign to try and surpass Serb Jelena Jankovic on the top spot.

She has won the Australian Open in the three last odd-numbered years. (dpa)