Milos Raonic is set to travel straight from Abu Dhabi to Australia to defend his Brisbane International title in January ahead of the Australian Open.
Canadian Raonic, the world No 6, was the first player to confirm his participation at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in the UAE capital. He has since been joined in the line-up by Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and France's world No 13 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The announcements for the final three players of the six player tournament are expected in the coming weeks.
The Mubadala World Tennis Championship takes place December 29-31, which means Raonic will have a quick turnaround to reach Australia in time for the start of the Brisbane International, which starts on New Year’s Day.
Raonic, 25, defeated Roger Federer to win this year’s title and it proved the ideal launch pad for the Australian Open where he reached the semi-final.
“I’ve made the previous two finals, and the challenge for me is to make it three in a row against a quality field of players all looking to start the season well,” Raonic said.
“Playing Brisbane is the best way to build momentum heading into the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open.”
Kei Nishikori, Japan’s world No 4, also confirmed his place at Brisbane International. The pair will join Swiss world No 3 Stan Wawrinka and 14-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal, along with world No 10 Dominic Thiem.
The top women’s player Angelique Kerber will also play the year-opening tournament, with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza also confirmed in the WTA draw.
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