Murray named among six Brits in Australian Open main draw

Murray is joined by Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans in the men's draw in Melbourne, while Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Naomi Broady are entered in the women's singles event.

It will be Murray's first Grand Slam as top seed, having finished as runner-up at the tournament on five occasions, while it will mark a happy return to Australia for Konta after she reached the semi-finals last year, her first in a major tournament.

It will also see the return of both Roger Federer and Serena Williams from injury, with every player in the world's top 99, with the exception of the pregnant Victoria Azarenka, confirmed in the line-up.

Tournament director, Craig Tiley, said: "We have an exceptionally strong field for Australian Open 2017, and it's exciting to welcome two new world number ones, and two new top seeds in Angie [Kerber] and Andy [Murray].

"We have been in regular contact with Roger and Rafa [Nadal] and both are ready and excited for the Aussie summer, with Roger heading to Perth and Rafa to Brisbane for the first time.

"Like all the players, they can't wait to get to Melbourne and start the year off well."

Sportsbeat 2016