Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to play at Australian Open

Federer and Nadal missed the second half of 2016 owing to injury. 

“We have been in regular contact with Roger and Rafa and both are ready and excited for the Aussie summer, with Roger heading to Perth and Rafa to Brisbane for the first time," tournament director Craig Tiley told AFP news agency.

“Like all the players, they can't wait to get to Melbourne and start the year off well.”

Serena Williams is also returning from injury, and she will look to surpass Steffi Graf as the most decorated player in the Open era.

The tournament will also be the first time that Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber will start a grand slam as top seeds, signifying the shift of power in tennis.

“We have an exceptionally strong field for Australian Open 2017, and it's exciting to welcome two new world number ones, and two new top seeds in Angie (Kerber) and Andy (Murray)," Tiley added.

However, before playing in Melbourne Park, Williams will play a warm up tournament at the Auckland Classic in January. Federer, on the other hand, has already signed up for the Hopman Cup in Perth. Nadal will kick off his season at the Brisbane International.