Local children celebrate Halep's return to Adelaide

Simona Halep is one of the early big commitments for the inaugural tournament in Adelaide. The joint ATP and WTA event replaces Sydney, as the start of the calendar makes room for the ATP Cup.

The Adelaide tournament will take place January 12-18, and local children were eager to show their hospitality to the world No. 4.

“When I heard about the tournament for the first time, I said that I was going to play for sure,” the Romanian said.  “I want to go back to Adelaide because I like it so much. I have only great memories of my time there. The people are very relaxed and they make you feel very relaxed as well.”

Adelaide hasn't hosted a tour-level tournament since 2008, when it lost out to Brisbane.