Roger Federer will make an early start to his quest for a fifth Australian Open title after agreeing to play the Brisbane International for the first time.

The 17-times grand slam champion will begin his new season at the Dec 29-Jan 5 tournament, having preferred to start in the Middle East in recent years.

Tournament director Cameron Pearson said he’d been talking with Federer’s management for the past few years and a deal was finally brokered around the time of the French Open.

Federer said he’d heard good things about the tournament and the atmosphere at a packed Pat Rafter Arena.

The Swiss great has changed up his schedule as he attempts to make up ground on world No.1 Novak Djokovic and No.2 Andy Murray and seeks his first Australian Open title since 2010 in the opening grand slam of 2014 from January 13-26.

He has slipped to No.5 in the world rankings since suffering a shock second-round loss at Wimbledon in his last grand slam start.

Murray has won the Brisbane International the past two years.