Sydney organizers have agreed to hold a wildcard for Maria Sharapova in case the three-time Grand Slam champion decides to play the January event as part of her leadup to the Australian Open.
Sharapova would likely opt to play Sydney if she loses early at Auckland the week before.
In past years, Sharapova has usually played only an exhibition in Hong Kong leading up to the Australian Open, but changed her schedule following a first-round loss at Melbourne Park last year.