Perth: World No. 1 Serena Williams and British star Andy Murray will start their 2016 seasons at the Hopman Cup in Perth, organisers said on Wednesday.
An exhausted Serena cut her 2015 season short this month, pulling out of both the China Open and the year-ending WTA Finals, saying she needed “time to heal”.
But the American great will be back on court for the January 3-9 tournament as she prepares to defend her Australian Open title at Melbourne Park later that month.
“Perth definitely started something quite amazing so I think it’s only natural and fair and reasonable that I go back to Perth,” said Serena, who went on to win not only the Australian Open but the French Open and Wimbledon.
She teamed up with John Isner at the mixed team tournament in Perth this year, losing in the final to Poland.
“We were so close to winning last year. I’m really excited to be back,” she said, with doubles specialist Jack Sock her partner in 2016.
“For me the Hopman Cup is super great preparation for the Australian Open.
“In 2016 I want to play doubles in Australia so it will be really exciting for me to get there, play some doubles and get some little experience at the Hopman Cup.”
Murray will partner Heather Watson for Britain while retiring Australian star Lleyton Hewitt will play alongside Casey Dellacqua.
Among other teams, Gael Monfils and Caroline Garcia play for France while Lucie Safarova and Jiri Vesely turn out for the Czech Republic.
The United States, meanwhile, will open their 2016 Fed Cup campaign against Poland in the Pacific Ocean state of Hawaii, a statement said. The February 6-7 World Group II first round match will take place at the outdoor hardcourts in Kailua Kona, the first time the archipelago has hosted Fed Cup matches.
Hawaii makes geographical sense for US team members, with the island chain part of the return route to the United States for players participating in the Australian Open in January.
The winner of February’s clash will advance to the World Group play-off in April 16-17 with a chance to earn promotion to the 2017 World Group.
The US lead Poland 3-0 in Fed Cup meetings and has yet to lose an individual match in the series.
Both world No. 1 Serena and sister Venus Williams played for the United States in the 2015 Fed Cup but were unable to help them return to the World Group. The United States have won the Fed Cup 17 times.
