Martina Hingis has accepted a wild card invitation to play at next month's Sydney International as part of her preparation for the Australian Open.
Tournament organisers were quick to offer the former world number one a free entry for the event, which will be held at Sydney's Olympic tennis centre from January 8-14, after she confirmed she would be making her comeback in Australia.
"We are thrilled to be in a position to welcome Martina back to Sydney and provide her with a wildcard," tournament director Craig Watson said in a statement.
Hingis retired three years ago because of a combination of foot, heel and ankle injuries but is making a comeback at the 25.
The Swiss has already accepted a wildcard to play the Australian women's hardcourt championships in the first week of January and another for the Australian Open starting in Melbourne on January 16.
The Sydney International is the women's main lead-up tournament for the first grand slam of the year. Hingis won the Sydney title three times - in 1997, 2001 and 2002.