SYDNEY, January 4, 2018 (Press Release)

World No.2 and reigning Wimbledon champion Garbiñe Muguruza from Spain has accepted a wildcard into the Sydney International, bringing the tournament’s tally of Grand Slam champions to seven.

Murguruza joins reigning Roland Garros and US Open champions Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, two time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, 2016 Australian and US Open champion Angelique Kerber and Australia’s 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur.

It’s the strongest women’s field in the tournament’s history.

The tournament’s No.1 seed, Muguruza, who retired from her opening match at the Brisbane International due to leg cramps, said she was grateful to be able to continue her preparations for the Australian Open at the Sydney International.

“I’ve only played in Sydney once before and I really enjoyed the conditions there, and the beautiful city,” said Muguruza, who reached the Sydney quarterfinals in 2015.

“This wildcard is a very valuable opportunity for me get back on the court and hopefully play a few more matches before the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne.

“The Sydney draw is incredibly strong and there will be no easy matches.”

Tournament director Lawrence Robertson said he was delighted to welcome the Spaniard, who enjoyed a career best season in 2017, to Sydney’s high-quality women’s field.

“Garbiñe reached the world No.1 ranking in September and was awarded WTA Player of the Year for 2017 so she is definitely one of the ones to watch heading into the 2018 season,” he said.

“Having Garbiñe in the draw elevates our already incredible women’s field to even greater heights and fans coming out to the tennis can expect intensely competitive matches from the very first round.”