Five players are set to make their Hobart International debut in 2016 – including two former top 10 and Grand Slam finalists – in one of the event’s strongest fields on record.
Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard headline the debutants.
The 26-year-old Cibulkova is on the comeback from an Achilles injury which sidelined her for four months during 2015.
Currently ranked No.38, the powerful baseliner is hoping for Hobart success to propel her back up the ranks.
Cibulkova thrives on Australian hardcourts, making the Australian Open final in 2014 and quarterfinals in 2015.
“The beginning of the year I always feel fresh. I always feel good from the off-season. I always work really hard,” Cibulkova explained of her Australian success. “Obviously everybody is working really hard in the off-season, but that’s what gives me the confidence. That’s how I feel good on the court.”
Bouchard has had similar results, reaching the Australian Open semifinals in 2014 and quarterfinals in 2015.
“There’s a lot about Australia I like,” Bouchard has said. “I’ve always had great memories from it. It was the first slam I did well at in juniors. Same thing in the pros. I love the surface of the court. I love the people. I love the fans. I love the hot weather. I like the accent a lot. I mean, I could keep going, but I’ll stop with that.”
Russian Margarita Gasparyan lists the Australian Open as her favourite event too – even though she is yet to play one.
It looms as a big Australian summer for this talented 21-year-old, who was ranked outside the world’s top 200 at this time last year.
Gasparyan is a player of the future to keep an eye on. She was one of the WTA Tour’s breakthrough stars of 2015 – winning her first titles in both singles and doubles at Baku in August. The Russian slashed her ranking by 155 spots, peaking at a career-high of No.58 in November.
Japanese player Misaki Doi, another Hobart debutant, finished 2015 in career-best form.
The 24-year-old Doi won her first WTA title at Luxembourg in October, propelling her to a career-high rank of No.54.
The inaugural Hobart International was won by Japan’s Mana Endo. Could Doi follow in her footsteps in her Hobart debut?
> See the Hobart International honour roll
Keep an eye on first-time entrant Johanna Konta too. The Sydney-born Brit was one of the form players in the final months of 2015, with four top 20 wins as she charged from outside the top 100 to her current rank of No.48.
> Take a look at the confirmed field
Can a Hobart International debutant win our 2016 title? There is only 14 days until main draw action hits off. Join the #HobartTennis conversation on social media and tell us what you think – Twitter and Facebook.