Brisbane: Grand Slam record-holder Roger Federer will return to play Brisbane International as he warms up for a tilt at his fifth Australian Open title in 2015, organisers said Monday.
Tournament officials said the 17-time Grand Slam winner, who lost this year's final to Lleyton Hewitt, would be the major drawcard at the Brisbane WTA/ATP event from January 4-11.
"The conditions are very similar to Melbourne so I think it's an ideal preparation (for the Australian Open)," Federer, 33, said in a Tennis Australia statement.
"It's an important tournament on my calendar, a tournament I'm very happy to go back to and I was very excited to go there for the first time this year.
"When I sign up for a tournament it's because I'm going to try to win it and I want to enjoy the week there."
Federer announced his participation in Brisbane International 2015 via a tweet as well.
Excited to announce that I'm returning to @Queensland to start my 2015 Australian summer @BrisbaneTennis
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 1, 2014The organisers of the Brisbane WTA/ATP are happy to have the record Grand Slam holder at the event.
He's back! @rogerfederer confirmed to start his summer downunder at #brisbanetennis @Queensland pic.twitter.com/zJwqe6GVGC
— Brisbane Intl (@BrisbaneTennis) September 1, 2014Federer won the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 19, in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.
After the warm-up tournament in Brisbane, he reached his 11th successive Australian Open semi-final this year before falling to Rafael Nadal.
