Stanislas Wawrinka will be the main man at the Chennai Open once again, with the French Open champion confirming his presence for the 2016 tournament.
Wawrinka won the Aircel Chennai Open title last year, and the world number four will be back to defend his crown, when the ATP tournament comes into play from 4-10 January.
The Swiss ace will make his eighth appearance at the Chennai Open, while gunning for his third title.
"Aircel Chennai Open is a great way to start the season, and I look forward to my eighth year at the tournament," Wawrinka said in a press release.
The Chennai Open 2016 will also be extra special, with the tournament hitting its 20th year, and Wawrinka is keen to make this a memorable one.
"Being a landmark year for the tournament, I hope to reclaim my title and make this year even more special," he added. "I congratulate the organisers for bringing out this exciting contest year after year and look forward to many more landmark editions of the Aircel Chennai Open."
Apart from winning the French Open, Wawrinka made it to the semifinals of the US Open recently, where he was beaten by his compatriot and great friend Roger Federer.
The tournament in Tamil Nadu's capital – the only major ATP tournament in India -- acts as a warm-up for the Australian Open, and Wawrinka, who won the title in Melbourne in 2014, will hope a successful Chennai Open acts as a good omen to his Australian Open hopes.
"The last two years have been extra special since I have gone on to win a Grand Slam each year after a winning start here in Chennai," Wawrinka said.
"So, Chennai has become like my good luck charm now!"
