Federer to make Brisbane return

Roger Federer, of Switzerland, returns the ball against Marcel Granollers, of Spain, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, in New York. AP

BRISBANE — Grand Slam record-holder Roger Federer will return to play next year’s Brisbane International as he warms up for a tilt at his fifth Australian Open title, organisers said Monday.

Tournament officials said the 17-time Grand Slam winner, who lost this year’s final to Lleyton Hewitt, would be the major drawcard at the Brisbane WTA/ATP event from January 4-11.

“The conditions are very similar to Melbourne so I think it’s an ideal preparation (for the Australian Open),” Federer, 33, said in a Tennis Australia statement.

“It’s an important tournament on my calendar, a tournament I’m very happy to go back to and I was very excited to go there for the first time this year.

“When I sign up for a tournament it’s because I’m going to try to win it and I want to enjoy the week there.”

Federer won the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 19, in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.

After the warm-up tournament in Brisbane, he reached his 11th successive Australian Open semifinal this year before falling to Rafael Nadal.

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