Six of the world’s top 10 women and four of the top 20 men including Roger Federer and Serena Williams will headline the Brisbane International.

World No.1 and Brisbane defending champion Williams will lead one of the strongest women’s fields at the Australian Open warm-up event from December 29 to January 5.

Williams will be joined by world No.2 Victoria Azarenka, Russian powerhouse Maria Sharapova and fellow top-10 players Jelena Jankovic, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki.

Azarenka, who claimed her first WTA title in Brisbane in 2009, will return in preparation for her tilt at a third straight Australian Open crown.

Seventeen-time grand slam champion Roger Federer will lead the men’s field, featuring top-20 players Kei Nishikori of Japan, Frenchman Gilles Simon and Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

Brisbane 2013 runner-up Grigor Dimitrov is looking to go one better, but will be forced to overcome a world-class field including local hopes Lleyton Hewitt, Marinko Matosevic and 18-year-old wildcard Nick Kyrgios.

Tournament director Cameron Pearson said the 2014 field was one of the strongest in the event’s history.

“The calibre of the field assembled for Brisbane International 2014 is one of the greatest on record, and we’re certainly looking forward to welcoming the world’s top players to Queensland Tennis Centre in December,” he said.

“To have Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the event … is a remarkable result and testament to the high regard the players have for the tournament.”