Nick Kyrgios has capitalized on his protected ranking to secure a place in the main draw of January’s Australian Open.
Kyrgios, 29, has not played at a Grand Slam since September 2022 when he lost in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
Britons Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage have also been confirmed on the main draw list.
A series of knee, foot and wrist injuries have interrupted Kyrgios’ career over the past two years.
The Australian has not competed since June 2023 but he is planning a return to action at the World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi from 19-22 December.
Kyrgios, who was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, is due to feature in his first competitive tournament at the Brisbane International later in December.
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Like Kyrgios, Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Belinda Bencic is also set to use her protected ranking to enter the Australian Open main draw after missing all of this year’s Grand Slams following the birth of her daughter Bella in April.
British number one Draper has never gone beyond the second round at the Australian Open but will be hoping to build further momentum after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open in September.
Kartal, 23, will make her main draw debut in Melbourne, while Burrage, 25, had a first-round exit in 2024.
Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who top the men’s and women’s rankings, are both on the main draw list, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who is targeting a record 11th Australian Open crown, is also confirmed for the event.
Former world number four Kei Nishikori is another player using his protected ranking to return to the Australian Open for the first time since 2021.
