Sydney, Australia, 28 November 2013 | Apia International Sydney

Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska leads the women’s field at Apia International Sydney 2014 that includes six top 10 women, while fellow world No.5 Juan Martin del Potro is the top seed in a tough men’s field comprised of five top 25 contenders.

It will not be an easy title defence for the crafty Radwanska, who is joined by 2011 Wimbledon champion and world No.6 Petra Kvitova, tenacious Italian No.7 Sara Errani, German top-tenner Angelique Kerber and former world No.1’s Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic in a world-class women’s draw.

Adding to the firepower bound for Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre this January is up-and-coming Romanian world No.11 Simona Halep, exciting American world No.12 Sloane Stephens and rising young Canadian Eugenie Bouchard.

Halep was named WTA Most Improved Player of the Year after winning six titles in 2013, while Bouchard was awarded WTA Newcomer of the Year after the 19 year-old rose 112 spots to finish the year as world No.32.

Also confirmed in the women’s draw is 2013 runner-up and world No.23 Dominika Cibulkova, two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, and another up-and-coming American Jamie Hampton, ranked No.28, who makes her first appearance in the Harbour City.

The women’s main draw entry cut-off is an impressive No.33 with fan favourite and Australian Open semifinalist Daniela Hantuchova the last direct entrant.

Del Potro, of Argentina, leads an outstanding men’s field that also boasts a main draw entry cut-off inside the top 50 with gritty world No.13 Nicolas Almagro of Spain and flashy Italian world No.16 Fabio Fognini among the highest-ranked players entered.

Tournament officials will allocate their first wildcard to defending champion and Australian No.1 Bernard Tomic to ensure his participation; his current world ranking of No.51 meant he fell just shy of the main-draw cut-off of No.49.

Also set to make his mark in Sydney for the first time is Wimbledon semifinalist and world No.21 Jerzy Janowicz, whose powerful serve and big groundstrokes will make him a favourite to take out the prestigious title.

Former champions Jarkko Nieminen and Dmitry Tursunov will return for another shot at the title as well as popular big-serving American Sam Querrey.

Apia International Sydney Tournament Director Craig Watson is delighted to have such a strong field assembled in Sydney.

“To have our defending champions, seven top 10 stars and three Grand Slam champions bound for Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre is an outstanding result for the event and an exciting prospect for Sydney tennis fans,” Watson said.

“Our confirmed entry lists are incredibly strong; having a pair of top five stars headlining a multitude of top 50 players ensures we will all witness some outstanding and memorable tennis action this January.”

Australian players including Marinko Matosevic, Matt Ebden, Nick Kyrgios and Casey Dellacqua could also take part in the event as potential wildcard participants.

Apia International Sydney 2014, proudly supported by Apia in association with Volkswagen and The NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will take place at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on 5-11 January 2014.

Apia International Sydney single session tickets and series packages are now available. One ticket provides access to every court with prices starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/booksydney or call 1300 888 104.

For further tournament information please visit www.apiainternational.com.au.