Britain's Andy Murray has appointed former world number one Ivan Lendl as his new full-time coach.
Lendl, the winner of eight Grand Slam events, will start work immediately.
Murray said: "Ivan's impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments."
The Scot starts 2012 with a first-round match against Mikhail Kukushkin at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.
Top seed Murray will begin his bid for a 22nd ATP World Tour title at the hard court tournament.
The world number four, who is making his debut at the event, said: "It's a tough draw [and] you never know how guys can improve in the off-season.
"There are a lot of good players here and young players as well."
The 2011 Australian Open runner-up is a strong favourite in the men's draw as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all miss the event.
But Murray says Australian youngster Bernard Tomic, 19, former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis and Germany's Tommy Haas are all title threats.
"There are a lot of dangerous players here," the 24-year-old added.
The Scot, playing alongside Cypriot Baghdatis, will also take on Columbia's Santiago Giraldo and Japan's Kei Nishikori in the men's doubles, in which Murray's brother Jamie will compete alongside Australia's Paul Hanley.
Murray, who struggled with a groin injury in November and had to pull out of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, has already had to dismiss concerns about the recurrence of an old knee injury after having treatment during practice on Friday.
Other notable draws see American Ryan Sweeting take on second-seeded Gilles Simon of France, while 2009 Wimbledon semi-finalist Haas plays Australian wildcard Marinko Matosevic.
