SYDNEY, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Novak Djokovic will open his 2025 season at the Brisbane International in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
Organizers of the Brisbane International on Wednesday announced that Djokovic will headline the 2025 tournament alongside women's world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
It will mark the first time that Djokovic plays in the tournament since 2009, and if he wins the tournament, that will be his 100th tour title.
He will be joined in the men's draw by fellow top-20 players like Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe, as well as local hopes Nick Kyrgios, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson.
On the women's side, Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, is one of 11 top-20 ranked players in the draw, which also features China's Yuan Yue, Wang Xinyu and Wang Yafan.
"We are thrilled to have Novak headlining the Brisbane International 2025 along with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka," tournament director Cam Pearson said in a statement.
"This is by far the strongest field the tournament has seen with 15 of the top-20 men and women players confirmed," he added.
The Brisbane International will run from December 29 to January 5, with the Australian Open beginning on January 12. ■
