Maria signed to play the 2006 Women's Hardcourts

Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova has signed to play the 2006 Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts on the Gold Coast in January next year in what is a major coup for the international tennis tournament.

"I look forward to coming down to Australia in January for the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts," said Sharapova.

"The tournament and the Gold Coast have a great reputation among the players on the tour and I’m sure the facilities and fans will provide the ideal environment to begin the new year and my preparations for the Australian Open a few weeks later," she added.

Liz Smylie, tournament director of the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts said, "This tournament continues to attract big name stars as it provides an ideal environment to prepare for the first Grand Slam of the new tennis season.

"Every tournament in the world would love to have Maria Sharapova play in their event and I’m thrilled she has chosen the Gold Coast to begin her 2006 Grand Slam campaign. It underlines the tournament’s status on the WTA Tour as a first class event."

The tournament will start the 2nd of January 2006.