Nick Kyrgios set for grand slam return as Australian Open place confirmed

Nick Kyrgios is set to make his grand slam return on home soil after using his protected ranking to earn entry into the Australian Open.

Kyrgios has endured two injury-hit years since last featuring at a major at the 2022 US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals.

That followed a breakthrough run to the final of Wimbledon earlier that year, but knee, foot and wrist injuries have prevented the 29-year-old from making further progress.

He is set to make a comeback to a grand slam court from 12 January in Melbourne, with a protected ranking of 21st.

Prior to then, Kyrgios intends to feature at a World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi from 19-22 December before playing the Brisbane International later in the month.

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Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Belinda Bencic has also used her protected ranking to return at the Australian Open, having given birth to a daughter in April.

“Kyrgios and Bencic are among six men and six women competing ... using protected rankings, setting the main-draw entry ranking cut-off for both fields at world No. 98,” the tournament organisers confirmed in a statement.

Former World No 4 Kei Nishikori will also play with a protected ranking, making his first appearance in the Australian Open men’s singles since 2021, the statement added.

Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who are at the top of the men’s and women’s rankings, will be the top seeds at Melbourne Park, with 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic eyeing a record 11th Australian Open title.

Additional reporting by Reuters