Australian swing 411: Tournament schedule, key dates and top players

The new WTA season kicks off with six tournaments that make up the Australian summer swing, which begins Monday, Jan. 3.
Here's how the Australian Summer played out last season:
Australian Open: [3] Naomi Osaka
Yarra Valley Classic: [1] Ashleigh Barty d. [6] Garbiñe Muguruza, 7-6(3), 6-4
Gippsland Trophy: [7] Elise Mertens
Adelaide International: [5] Iga Swiatek
Grampians Trophy: [6] Anett Kontaveit, Ann Li
Phillip Island Trophy: Daria Kasatkina
Week 1: Jan. 3
Adelaide International 1 (WTA 500)
Venue: Memorial Drive
Draw Ceremony: Saturday, Jan. 1, 12 p.m. local
Main Draw begins: Monday, Jan. 3, 11:00 a.m.
Singles Final: Sunday, Jan. 9, NB 4:00 p.m.
Doubles Final: Saturday, Jan. 8, NB 3:30 p.m.
Main Draw at the Adelaide International (WTA 500), where Ash Barty and Aryna Sabalenka
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 1, 2022View Profile are the top two seeds.
1R: A rematch of the Indian Wells final between Paula BadosaView Profile and Victoria AzarenkaView Profile . pic.twitter.com/CjmAtyLcL6
Adelaide will host two WTA events in the first two weeks of the season, with the WTA 500 leading the way. Headlining the tournament are World No.1 and 2020 champion Ashleigh Barty, 2021 Adelaide champion Iga Swiatek
Read: Swiatek eyes 'peaceful' return to Adelaide in 2022 kickoff
Melbourne Summer Set 1 & 2 (WTA 250s)
Venue: Melbourne Park
Draw Ceremony: Sunday, Jan. 2
Main Draw begins: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 11:00 a.m.
Singles Finals: Sunday, Jan 9, 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Doubles Finals: Sunday, Jan. 9, 2:00 p.m.
Melbourne Park will host two concurrent WTA 250s during Week 1, where Australian Open defending champion Naomi Osaka
Season Preview: How the return of Barty and Osaka will shape the Aussie Swing
Week 2: Jan. 10
Sydney Tennis Classic (WTA 500)
Venue: Sydney Olympic Park
Draw Ceremony: Saturday, Jan. 8, 4:30 p.m.
Main Draw begins: Monday, Jan. 10
Singles Final: Saturday, Jan. 15, 5:00 p.m.
Doubles Final: Saturday, Jan. 15, 1:00 p.m.
Revised main draw at the Sydney Tennis Classic after Iga Swiatek
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 9, 2022View Profile withdrew due to rib injury. pic.twitter.com/6ZTvn38yqr
The WTA returns to Sydney Olympic Park for the first time since 2019, with a WTA 500 event topped by Barty and Muguruza.
Season Preview: Navratilova and Shriver tap Muguruza for big 2022
Adelaide International 2 (WTA 250)
Venue: Memorial Drive
Draw Ceremony: Sunday, Jan. 9, 12:00 p.m.
Main Draw begins: Monday, Jan. 10
Singles Final: Saturday, Jan. 15, 4:00 p.m.
Doubles Final: Friday, Jan. 14, 3:00 p.m.
Main draw of the Adelaide International 2 (WTA 250), where Aryna Sabalenka
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 8, 2022View Profile , Elina SvitolinaView Profile Coco GauffView Profile , and Tamara ZidansekView Profile are the top seeds. #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/2zwn7IueMF
Weeks 3 and 4: Jan. 17
Australian Open (Grand Slam)
Venue: Melbourne Park
Key Withdrawals: Karolina Pliskova
Draw Ceremony: Thursday, Jan. 13
Main Draw begins: Monday, Jan. 17
Singles Final: Saturday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Doubles Final: Sunday, Jan. 30, 3:00 p.m.
The first major of the season will miss out on the star power of Serena Williams, Bianca Andreescu