The Brisbane International always attracts great players, and this year is no different. They will try to win a healthy six-figure sum awarded to the winner of the WTA 500 event.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed at this year's Brisbane International. She was the runner-up at last year's tournament to Elena Rybakina, who decided to play at the United Cup instead of defending her title.
Since its inception in 2009, the Brisbane International has produced several high-profile winners of the women's singles, including Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, and Elina Svitolina.
Fans who have bought tickets for this year's Brisbane International will also be treated to men's singles and men's doubles action because the tournament held during the opening week of the new season is a combined tournament.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have agreed to play in the doubles in Brisbane, which should be fun viewing for the fans and will likely be a very rare case of a doubles match being chosen for Centre Court.
The ATP tournament is a 250-level tournament while the women's has 500 status. That means the prize money for WTA players is higher than for the ATP stars, amounting to $1,520,600 distributed at the event, giving them additional incentive to play well.
This year's women's singles champion at the Brisbane International will receive $192,475 and 500 ranking points for that impressive achievement. Sabalenka will hope to go one better after coming so close last year.
However, the Belarusian or any other player is still set to receive an impressive reward for finishing as the runner-up at the Brisbane International. 325 ranking points and $120,735 will be given to whichever player achieves that.
Former champion Azarenka and talented 20-year-old Linda Noskova were the losing semifinalists at last year's tournament in Brisbane. This year's semifinalists will receive $69,950 and 195 ranking points for their efforts.
The four defeated quarterfinalists at this year's Brisbane International will receive 108 ranking points. For a solid run at the tournament, those women will also receive a healthy $35,000 in bank rewards.
Players will also be awarded 60 ranking points and $17,750 in prize money for winning one main draw match at the Brisbane International. That can make a significant difference to those not highly ranked and qualified for the tournament.
Just one ranking point is given to players who lose in the opening round of WTA 500 tournaments. However, $10,660 will still handed out to these women for being good enough to qualify for the main draw in Brisbane.
The Brisbane International usually has one of the strongest WTA 500 draws, and this year is no exception. Sabalenka will hope to stamp her authority from the beginning of the year by performing well at the tournament.
Paula Badosa, Emma Navarro, and Mirra Andreeva are among the other players who will compete at the Brisbane International. Jessica Pegula, who would have been the No. 2 seed, had to withdraw because of an injury problem.
Points | Prize Money | |
Winner | 500 points | $192,475 |
Finalist | 325 points | $120,735 |
Semi-finalists | 195 points | $69,950 |
Quarter-finalists | 108 points | $35,000 |
3rd round | 60 points | $17,750 |
2nd round | 32 points | $12,300 |
1st round | 1 point | $10,660 |