Tennis stars converge on Australia as the countdown gets under way

While Novak Djokovic has again opted to skip the lead-up events in Australia as he eyes an unprecedented sixth men’s Open crown, the world No.1’s leading rivals will launch their 2016 campaigns in either Brisbane or Perth on Sunday, or Sydney, Melbourne or Hobart in the second week of January.

Women’s world No.1 Serena Williams, forming Team USA with Jack Sock, is due in on New Year’s Day, around the same time as Roger Federer touches down in Australia to try to defend his Brisbane International title.

Runner-up to Djokovic at the past two majors, Federer will become tennis’s first $US100 million ($A137.88 million) prize money earner if he breaks through for an elusive 18th grand slam singles triumph on January 31.

Australian No.1 Bernard Tomic will also launch his season in Brisbane, where two-time women’s Open champion Victoria Azarenka has gained a head start on Williams and others hoping to challenge for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

Five of the world’s top 10, including titleholder Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep and Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, plus Azarenka and Australia’s former US Open champion Samantha Stosur headline the women’s draw in the Queensland capital.