Fan favorite Nick Kyrgios will play his first major tournament since 2012 at the Australian Open in January
Organizers announced on Friday that Kyrgios, who has been plagued by injuries throughout the race, will use the protection of the No 21 order. lead income.
The one-time Wimbledon finalist welcomes one of 11 Australians confirmed for the main draw, including 10 in the men’s field, led by top 10 star Alex de Minaur.
Canberra-born Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world ranking of 13 in 2016, made it to the quarter-finals in Melbourne in 2015.
The polarizing, shot-making wizard reached Wimbledon before making the quarter-finals in 2014 at the 2022 tournament, beating Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Kyrgios also made the quarter-finals of the 2022 US Open, his last major before injuries caused an extended absence from the court.
The highly talented Kyrgios is finally set to add to the Melbourne singles doubles crown won by Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2022.
Other Australians who have gained direct entry to the men’s draw are De Minaur, Kokkinakis, Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Chris O’Connell, Aleksandar Vukic, Rinky Hijikata, James Duckworth and Adam Walton.
Olivia Gadecki is the only Australian woman to win direct entry.
Another player making a comeback is Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic, the Swiss star returning after the birth of daughter Bella in April.
Kyrgios and Bencic are among six men and six women competing in Melbourne using the guarded rankings, entering the main draw with both fielding a cut off ranking of world No.98.
There were 104 players directly accepted into the men’s and women’s singles draws.
Eight other places are reserved for wildcard entries.
To complete the 128-player field, the remaining 16 spots will be filled by affiliates. The final round of the qualifying tournament will be held at Melbourne Park on January 9, before the tournament begins on January 12.
Italy’s world number 1 Jannik Sinner will return to Melbourne to defend his title.
Djokovic will be hoping for an 11th Australian Open crown, which would give him 25 grand slam titles all time.
In the women’s draw, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will be looking for a shot at the title.