Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Brisbane International will return to the calendar for the first time since 2020 as part of the build-up to next year's Australian Open, Tennis Australia said on Friday. It was dropped from the men's tour when the ATP Cup was introduced in 2019 and last contested as a women's event in 2020. The women's singles field has been expanded to 48 players, while the men's singles draw will feature 32. "The players love to come here, they love the atmosphere," Barty told Australian media. The Canberra International starts alongside the Brisbane event two days later, with tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart beginning on Jan. 8.

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Persons: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Ash Barty, Barty, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Brisbane International, Tennis Australia, ATP, WTA, Queensland Tennis Centre, United, Canberra International, Hobart, Thomson Locations: Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hyderabad