Roger Federer will continue with the shake-up of his schedule which began this month by playing in January’s Brisbane International, organisers confirmed on Wednesday.

One day after returning to his home event in the Swiss village of Gstaad and being presented with a cow as a gift in an on-court welcome ceremony, the 31-year-old is preparing to make one of his earliest starts in Australia.

“I’ve heard many great things from the other players, they say it’s a very friendly tournament, fan friendly, player friendly,” Federer said in a statement.

“For some time we’ve been in contact with Brisbane and I saw how the tournament got stronger and stronger... and the connection with Pat Rafter, him having the arena named after him I think is great.

“I’ve always hoped that I could come to Brisbane... so I’m happy we are all able to make it work. I’m not just coming to Australia for the Australian Open, especially when I commit so early in advance, it’s also to win in Brisbane.” Federer’s usual start-of-season schedule over the past four years has comprised only playing at the Australian Open, which he has won four times. Until 2010, he would often begin his Aussie tennis run a few days earlier, participating in the Kooyong invitational exhibition event in Melbourne.

The Brisbane tournament, formerly played in Adelaide, has been won by Andy Murray over the last two editions.

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