Slam champions Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek reveal return ahead of Australian Open
After ending her season early to recuperate back home, Ashleigh Barty will join fellow top WTA pros in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
The world number one decided to cut her 2021 season short after the US Open in September, citing the need for plenty of rest after more than six months touring without returning to Australia.
Now, the WTA 500 Adelaide International has announced that the two-time Major champion will hit the court again at their event beginning 2nd January.
The Australian is joined by fellow former Roland Garros champion and Adelaide International defending champion Iga Swiatek.
The world number nine Pole last played in November when she made her debut at the WTA Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The playing fields for the first Adelaide International from 2 to 9 January 2022 have been revealed.
Tickets go on sale 12:00 noon ACDT, Friday 17 December 🎫#AdelaideTennis https://t.co/MXDFoZqXLw
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) December 10, 2021
Former world number ones Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova will also compete.
Muguruza enters 2022 off the back of her WTA Finals triumph and as world number three as she looks to build back to her very best.
Looking ahead to the Australian Open, the Spaniard has previously gone as far as the final there, being runner-up to Sofia Kenin in 2020.
Home favourite Barty will also be looking to gear up for a big Melbourne run.
Her best Australian Open result came in 2020 too, when she reached the semi-finals before also losing to eventual champion Kenin.
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