Roger Federer will play the winner of a match between a wild-card entry and a qualifier when the 17-time Grand Slam champion begins his new season at the Brisbane International next week.
Federer, who arrived in Australia on Saturday, has a first-round bye. Then he’ll play the winner of a match between Australian wild-card entry John Millman and a yet-to-be-determined qualifier.
Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt, who beat Federer in the final last year, will play compatriot Sam Groth in his first match after the draw was conducted Saturday.
Hewitt and Federer are on opposite sides of the draw and could not meet each other until the final.
Top-seeded Maria Sharapova, also with a first-round bye, will play the winner of a match between Germany’s Sabine Lisicki and a qualifier.