Maria Sharapova is back in Brisbane.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has accepted a wild card into the Brisbane International, which starts on January 6th.

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Sharapova joins a loaded field featuring world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber.

"Brisbane, I've missed you, and I'm so excited to be starting off my year 2020 at your tournament, in your city," Sharapova said in a video posted on Brisbane's Facebook page. "I've missed the fans, I've missed the event so much, and I am so looking forward to seeing everyone."



Australian Fed Cup player Priscilla Hon was also given main-draw wild card.

A chronic shoulder issue limited Sharapova to 15 matches in 2019. She posted an 8-7 record pulling the plug on her season after Serena Williams administered a 6-1, 6-1 thrashing at the US Open.

Sharapova said her 2020 mission statement is to bring her best to every match.

"It's obviously a very special sport to be a part of," Sharapova said. "And the feelings, the competition, it's very different from maybe other professions. But I don't know what it's like in other professions.

"My motivation is to always be the best I can be in what I do. It's not always easy. I had a really tough 2019, but 2020 is a new year, a new opportunity and I will certainly give it all I have."

Photo credit: Porsche