Nick Kyrgios Confirmed for Grand Slam Return at Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios’s most successful performance at the Australian Open occurred in 2015 when he advanced to the quarter-finals; he has now utilized his protected ranking to secure a spot in the main draw of January’s Australian Open. The 29-year-old Kyrgios has been absent from Grand Slam competition since September 2022, following his quarter-final defeat at the US Open. British players Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, and Jodie Burrage are also confirmed participants in the main draw. The Australian Open is scheduled to commence on 12 January. Kyrgios’s career has been hampered over the last two years by a succession of knee, foot, and wrist injuries. The Australian player has not participated in any tournaments since June 2023, but he intends to make his comeback at the World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi, running from 19-22 December. Kyrgios, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, is expected to play his initial competitive tournament at the Brisbane International later in December. Similar to Kyrgios, Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Belinda Bencic will also utilize her protected ranking to gain entry into the Australian Open main draw, having missed all Grand Slams this year subsequent to the birth of her daughter Bella in April. British number one Jack Draper has not progressed past the second round at the Australian Open previously, but he aims to build on the momentum gained from reaching the US Open semi-finals in September. The 23-year-old Kartal is set to make her first main draw appearance in Melbourne, whereas Burrage, 25, exited in the first round in 2024. Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning champions and top-ranked players in the men’s and women’s categories respectively, are both included in the main draw list. Additionally, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who seeks a record 11th Australian Open title, has also confirmed his participation. Former world number four Kei Nishikori is another competitor who will use his protected ranking to participate in the Australian Open, marking his first appearance since 2021.