Osaka will be joined by former Wimbledon and US Open victor Andy Murray,two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka,Danish top 10 star Holger Rune and veteran Grigor Dimitrov.
Brisbane International tournament director Cam Pearson said it was thrilling the tournament’s return –having not been a fixture on the calendar since before the COVID-19 pandemic – would be highlighted by the Japanese star’s comeback.
As for Murray,a former winner at the event who has battled a tumultuous run with injuries in recent years,it could be the last time Australian fans get to witness the 36-year-old in action.
The British icon’s career appeared over when he underwent hip surgery in 2018,and fell out of the top 800 in the world rankings.
Despite indifferent form in 2023 – most recently going down to Australian Alex de Minaur at the Paris Masters – Pearson was confident Murray could rediscover the form that made him one of the game’s finest players.
“He’s the bionic man,isn’t he? It’s really interesting with Andy,he’s just got a real love of the game and I think he’ll keep playing until he loses that and it becomes a chore,” Pearson said.