BRISBANE – Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and five-time major-winner Maria Sharapova will defend their Brisbane International titles in the lead-up to the Australian Open in January, organisers said Thursday. Federer won his 1,000th match in a tight three-set final against Milos Raonic in 2015 and said he was looking forward to being back in Australia. "I'm excited, especially after this year with the win and the 1,000th match win, it was like a picture perfect moment," said the Swiss world number two. Japan's world number four Kei Nishikori also confirmed that he would play the tournament, as did Sharapova, who beat Ana Ivanovic in the 2015 decider. "Everything around (the tournament) is great," said the Russian. The tournament gets underway on January 3.