The Swiss, who won the event in 2011 after finishing runner-up the previous year, had clinched the doubles title in the previous edition with Frenchman Benoit Paire.
"I love to come back to Chennai, it is a nice place to start the year. You cut a little bit of the travel from Europe to Australia. This tournament is a good combination, not too hot, it's humid. It's close to Australia but not as hot. It's a good tournament, crowds are good. That's why I'm happy to come back," Wawrinka, who has been given top billing, said.
"My goal is not to break into the top four. I am number eight now, the first time I have finished in the top 10. I know that I can still improve, for sure, but I don't know where I can go," he said.
"The only thing I can control is how I practice, how I get ready for the tournament, and how I do my schedule, that's it. I will try to do my best, but I have no idea what's going to happen," he added.