Brisbane International unveils its strongest field in history

Seven Grand Slam champions will headline Brisbane International 2019 in one of the strongest fields assembled in the tournament's 11 year history.

Grand Slam champions, Rafael Nadal (Spain), Andy Murray (Great Britain), Naomi Osaka (Japan), Sloane Stephens (USA), Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic), Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) and local favourite Sam Stosur are amongst a star studded line-up beginning their summer in Brisbane.

Defending men's champion Nick Kyrgios (ACT) returns alongside past Brisbane champions and finalists Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria), Milos Raonic (Canada), Ryan Harrison (USA) and Kei Nishikori (Japan).

In the women's draw, defending Brisbane champion, Elina Svitolina (Ukraine),  the 2016 winner, Karolina Pliskova (pictured above, Czech Republic), Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) and Daria Kasatkina (Russia) round out the top 10 contingent bound for Brisbane.

Daria Gavrilova from Victoria  will provide local support alongside Stosur to ensure Australian resistance on home soil. Gavrilova was in Brisbane for the full field announcement and is excited about the depth of the women's draw.

"To have so many top players coming to Brisbane is fantastic. I am looking forward to producing some great tennis here and getting my new season underway," Gavrilova says.

Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up and ATP Newcomer of the Year, Alex de Minaur of New South Wales is set to ignite Pat Rafter Arena again, 12 months after bursting onto the international tennis stage at the Brisbane International.  As a wildcard, De Minaur defeated the then world number 24 Raonic on his way to a first tour level semifinal.

De Minaur leads the ATP Next Gen charge featuring Kyle Edmund (GBR), Daniil Medvedev (RUS) and Taylor Fritz (USA).

Crowd favourites John Millman of Queensland, Jordan Thompson of New South Wales and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) bolster the stellar men's field.

Brisbane International Tournament Director Cameron Pearson says tennis fans are guaranteed exciting matches from the very first round.

"We are once again thrilled so many of the world's best players want to come to Brisbane. This speaks volumes for the event, the fans who come to watch and the city of Brisbane," Pearson says.

"To have seven Grand Slam champions and 16 ATP/WTA Top 20 players confirmed is great news, and our fans are in for another exciting week of world class tennis. We look forward to welcoming all the players to Brisbane for the first week of the 2019 year."

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