Milos Raonic to defend Brisbane Intl title

Next year's Brisbane International will boast a star-studded field, with Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem locked in to contest the January tournament.

The top-ten players will join Swiss star Stan Wawrinka, who will make his tournament debut, and Spain's former world No.1 Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open lead-up event.

Defending champion Raonic, ranked six in the world, will appear on Pat Rafter Arena for the fourth year, with the 2016 Wimbledon finalist aiming to make his third straight final.

"I played some of my best tennis to beat Roger (Federer) in the final last time," Raonic said.

"The challenge for me is to make it three (finals) in a row against a quality field of players all looking to start the season well."

Japan's Nishikori, who matched his career-high in reaching No. 4 in the world in 2016, will be looking to absolve his upset quarter-final loss to local hope Bernard Tomic in Brisbane earlier this year.

World No.10 Austrian Thiem was a semi-finalist at the event this year, losing to Roger Federer.