World's best for 2016 Australian Open tennis

Australian Open organisers are boasting the world's top 99 men and 99 of the top 100 women will descend on Melbourne Park in January for the 2016 grand slam tournament.

World No.1s Serena Williams of the United States and Novak Djokovic of Serbia will lead the all-star, with retiring No.8 Flavia Pennetta of Italy the only name missing from the women's top 100 and Israel's No.100 Dudi Sela just missing the men's direct entry cut-off.

Tournament Director Craig Tiley said fans could expect two weeks of world-class tennis when the event begins on Monday January 18.

"The field for Australian Open 2016 is looking stronger than ever and, with little more than a month until the tournament begins, our preparations are in full swing," Tiley said.

"We're looking forward to former world No.2 Tommy Haas (Germany) returning to the tournament after being sidelined by a shoulder injury for most of 2014 and the first half of this year.".

Also returning from injury on protected rankings are Frenchman Julien Benneteau, Serb Janko Tipsarevic, Brian Baker (USA) and Russian Dmitry Tursunov in the men's draw, and Czech Petra Cetkovska, Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ), Vania King (USA), Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) and Victoria Duval (USA) in the women's draw.

Australia's Casey Dellacqua withdrew recently due to post-concussion syndrome following an on-court fall this year in China.

"Casey is such an integral member of our tennis family and a fan favourite, especially when playing here at home. We wish her the very best for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back on court soon," Tiley said.

There will be 16 qualifiers in the men's and 12 female qualifiers added to each draw along with eight wildcards.

Lleyton Hewitt has been awarded a main draw wildcard for his last Australian Open, after which he will retire.

Top-ranked Australians, Bernard Tomic (18) and Samantha Stosur (27), will lead the local charge in Melbourne.

MEN'S MAIN DRAW TOP 10 (BY WORLD RANKING):

* 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

* 2. Andy Murray (GBR)

* 3. Roger Federer (SUI)

* 4. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

* 5. Rafael Nadal (ESP)

* 6. Tomas Berdych (CZE)

* 7. David Ferrer (ESP)

* 8. Kei Nishikori (JPN)

* 9. Richard Gasquet (FRA)

* 10. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Australian players of note:

* 18. Bernard Tomic

* 30. Nick Kyrgios

* 60. Sam Groth

* 80. Thanasi Kokkinakis

WOMEN'S MAIN DRAW TOP 10 (BY WORLD RANKING):

* 1. Serena Williams (USA)

* 2. Simona Halep (ROU)

* 3. Garbine Muguruza (ESP)

* 4. Maria Sharapova (RUS)

* 5. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)

* 6. Petra Kvitova (CZE)

* 7. Venus Williams (USA)

* 8. Flavia Pennetta (retired)

* 9. Lucie Safarova (CZE)

* 10. Angelique Kerber (GER)

* 11. Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

Australian players of note:

* 27. Samantha Stosur

12:17 PM