Swiss champion Roger Federer will begin his 2014 season at Australia’s Brisbane International for the first time, tournament organisers said on Wednesday, in a bid to improve his Grand Slam hopes.
Federer, a 17-time major winner, has slumped to world number five in the rankings for the first time in a decade during a disappointing season and said he would kick off 2014 at Brisbane ahead of the Australian Open.
‘I’ve always hoped that I could come there (to Brisbane), so I am happy we are all able to make it work,’ he said. ‘I’m not just coming there for the Australian Open, especially when I commit so early in advance, it’s also to win in Brisbane.’ Andy Murray is the defending champion.