Kyrgios to make Grand Slam return in Australia

Nick Kyrgios has utilized his protected ranking to unafraid a spot successful the main tie of January's Australian Open.

Kyrgios, 29, has not played astatine a Grand Slam since September 2022 erstwhile he mislaid successful the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Britons Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage person besides been confirmed connected the main tie list.

The Australian Open originates connected 12 January.

A bid of knee, ft and wrist injuries person interrupted Kyrgios' profession complete the past 2 years.

The Australian has not competed since June 2023 but he is readying a return to action astatine the World Tennis League event successful Abu Dhabi from 19-22 December.

Kyrgios, who was beaten by Novak Djokovic successful the 2022 Wimbledon final, is owed to characteristic successful his first competitory tourney astatine the Brisbane International later successful December.

Like Kyrgios, Tokyo 2020 golden medallist Belinda Bencic is besides group to usage her protected ranking to participate the Australian Open main tie aft missing each of this year's Grand Slams pursuing the commencement of her girl Bella successful April.

British number 1 Draper has ne'er gone beyond the the 2nd information astatine the Australian Open but will beryllium hoping to build further momentum aft reaching the semi-finals of the US Open successful September.

Kartal, 23, will make her main tie debut successful Melbourne, while Burrage, 25, had a first-round exit successful 2024.

Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who apical the men's and women's rankings, are some connected the main tie list, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who is targeting a grounds 11th Australian Open crown, is besides confirmed for the event.

Former world number 4 Kei Nishikori is different subordinate utilizing his protected ranking to return to the Australian Open for the first clip since 2021.