The WTA Brisbane International event, which will be played next month, will feature the world's top three women players. Now, top ranked Victoria Azarenka joined Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams in the Brisbane draw.

The Brisbane International Event is the main lead-up tournament to January's Australian Open in Melbourne, the season's first Grand Slam. The star-studded field also features other notable WTA contenders including Germany's Angelique Kerber, Sara Errani of Italy, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and Australia's Samantha Stosur.

"I am really looking forward to returning to Brisbane where I won the inaugural title in 2009," Azarenka said.  “I am very proud to have ended the year as world number one and I am excited to start my 2013 campaign in Brisbane where I know I will get some tough matches against the world's best there."