World number one Serena Williams has signed up for the Brisbane International 2014 as part of her campaign to secure her 18th Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open next year.
Williams is the defending champion at this warm-up WTA Premier event which starts on December 29 and concludes on January 5.
“They have a great fitness centre; they have great courts that are identical to the surface played in Melbourne,” she said in a statement.
“Plus I have a week off after the tournament, so it’s always a good preparation to play in Brisbane, and it’s always fun to go back and try and defend your title.”
Williams is aiming to win her 18th Grand Slam singles title in Melbourne and if she achieves this feat, she will be in a three-way tie with Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert for the most number of Grand Slam singles title hauls. The most number in the Open Era is Steffi Graf at 22.
Other marquee players confirming their participation in Brisbane include 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and defending Brisbane champion Andy Murray.
