Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams will start off their 2013 season campaigns at the World Tennis Invitation exhibition tournament starting Dec. 29 at the Thai resort town of Hua Hin.

Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand President Suwat Lipatapanlop asserted on Monday that he is ''delighted'' Serena and Azarenka have chosen to start their 2013 campaign in Thailand.

Suwat said the tournament - used by many players as a warm up for the Australian Open -would be a ''once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Thai fans to watch Serena play.''

In another exhibition match, Kim Clijsters will play a ceremonial farewell match on Dec. 12 against Venus Williams. Clijsters retired from tennis after the U.S. Open in August. The 29-year-old Clijsters is a four-time Grand Slam winner.