Former Champions Nadal, Osaka, and Kerber Set for Grand Return at 2024 Australian Open

Melbourne, Australia, December 09, 2023: The Australian Open 2024 promises a star-studded return to the tennis court, as former champions Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, and Angelique Kerber feature in the recently revealed entry list for the prestigious tournament. Additionally, former Australian Open women’s champion Caroline Wozniacki has been awarded one of the first wild cards for the upcoming event, set to commence on January 14.

However, the entry list also bears the absence of notable players, with former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios and 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu not listed. Kyrgios, the former world No. 13, missed the Australian Open last January due to knee surgery and has been out of the tour since Wimbledon, where he withdrew due to a wrist ligament tear. Despite the absence from the list, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley expresses hope that Kyrgios may still participate and could be granted a wildcard.

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open sensation, has been out of action since April due to multiple surgeries. With a protected ranking of 103, she missed out on the automatic entry list and was not among the initial wild cards. This implies that Raducanu will need to go through the qualifiers for the upcoming Australian Open.

Caroline Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open women’s champion, has been granted the first wild card for the 2024 edition. The 33-year-old Danish player returned to the court earlier in August after a three-year retirement. She made appearances in Montreal and Cincinnati before a notable run to the fourth round of the US Open.

Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka, both former Australian Open champions, are expected to make a blockbuster return to the Grand Slam arena after participating in the Brisbane International. Nadal has been absent from competition since January due to a hip injury, holding a protected ranking of nine. Meanwhile, Osaka, a two-time champion at Melbourne Park, has been on maternity leave since September 2022 and holds a special ranking of 46, designated by the WTA for players returning from pregnancy leave.

The Australian Open 2024, commencing on January 14, will see Novak Djokovic defending his men’s title, while Aryna Sabalenka aims to defend the women’s title. The presence of these seasoned champions is anticipated to add significant excitement and competition to the tournament.