Tennis: Dokic handed wildcard entry to Sydney International

Australian No.3 Jelena Dokic has been awarded the first women's wildcard into next month's Sydney International.

Currently ranked 66th in the world, Sydney-raised Dokic will take her place in the main draw alongside nine of the world's top 10 women, including Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Li Na and Sam Stosur.

It will be Dokic's second consecutive appearance at the event after making an emotional return this year to the venue of her Olympic bronze medal playoff match of 2000.

"I am really excited to be returning once more," said the one-time world No.4.

"It's a terrific event with a great history and tradition and the women's field in Sydney is always unbelievable.

"Last year I lost a tough match to (Svetlana) Kuznetsova in the first round, but I am happy with how I am hitting the ball heading into the Australian summer and hopefully I can produce a few good matches in my old home city."

Dokic, 28, has won six WTA Tour career titles, including Kuala Lumpur in February when she defeated grand slam champion Francesca Schiavone in the first round.

Dokic also reached the final in s-Hertogenbosch in June and made a quarter-final appearance in Paris in February.

There are three remaining wildcards for women's players still to be confirmed, including two being held for top-20 stars.

Tournament ambassador Lleyton Hewitt and Australian No.2 Matt Ebden have both received main-draw wildcards into the men's event, with one more still to be awarded.

The Australian Open lead-up tournament runs from January 6-14.

- AAP