The 2024 tennis season is fast approaching, with the Australian Open less than two months away. The Brisbane International will be one of the events held in Australia ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year, and the field will be headlined by Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. On the men’s side, American Ben Shelton has been confirmed as playing.
After a three-year absence, the Brisbane International returns to the Australian summer of tennis with a premier WTA tournament and ATP event.
A mammoth 48 women will contest the WTA 500 crown, while 32 men will compete for an ATP 250 title.
The Brisbane International will begin on Sunday, December 31, and finish on Sunday, January 7.
Naomi Osaka was one of the first players confirmed at the event. Former No.1Osaka will kick off her 2024 comeback at the Brisbane International. The four-time major champion has not played a tournament on the Hologic WTA Tour since the 2022 Toray Pan Pacific in Tokyo. Brisbane, a WTA 500 event that begins on Dec. 31, will be Osaka’s first tournament of the new season.
Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka will join Osaka in the women’s WTA 500 tournament. Victoria Azarenka has enjoyed consistent success in Brisbane, posting a 15-2 record and winning the title in 2009 and 2016. Osaka’s best results came with back-to-back semifinals in 2019 and 2020.
Reigning Australian Open champion and World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka will begin her 2024 season at the Brisbane International, a WTA 500 event.
“I’m excited about starting my 2024 Australian season in Brisbane,” Sabalenka said. “Australia holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there.
“I can’t wait to make my debut at the Brisbane International and play in front of the Queensland tennis fans.”
World No.4 Elena Rybakina will also open her season in Brisbane. Sabalenka and Rybakina lead the 48-player field.
These two players were the best ones in Australia last year as they contested the 2023 Australian Open final.
The men’s field in Brisbane will feature world No. 17 Ben Shelton.
The 21-year-old made the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this year and will join Andy Murray, Holger Rune and Grigor Dimitrov at the tournament.