Nick Kyrgios used his protected ranking to secure a place in the main draw of January’s Australian Open.
Kyrgios, 29, has not played in a Grand Slam since September 2022, when he lost in US Open quarter-finals.
Britons Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage have also been confirmed on the main draw roster.
The Australian Open begins on January 12.
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 is planning a return to action in World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi from December 19 to 22.
Kyrgios, who was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, is set to compete in his first competitive event at the tournament. Brisbane International later in December.
Like Kyrgios, Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Belinda Bencic is also expected 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 progressed past the second round of the Australian Open but is hoping to continue his 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, was eliminated in the first round in 2024.
Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who dominate the men’s and women’s rankings, are both on the main draw roster, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who is chasing a record 11th Open crown Australia, 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.
