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Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Friday, December 6, 2024
Photo credit: Sarah Reed/Getty
A familiar face will make the Happy Slam return next month.
A new mother Belinda Bencic and 2022 AO doubles champion Nick Kyrgios both will play the 2025 Australian Open in the protected rankings, the tournament announced.
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Bencic, 27, who gave birth to daughter Bella on April 23, is a 2019 US Open semifinalist.
In his final Grand Slam tournament season in 2023, Bencic reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios will launch his return to Tour level in Brisbane next month to prepare for his much-anticipated AO comeback. Kyrgios is partnering good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in the 2022 Australian Open doubles tournament.
The 29-year-old Kyrgios, whose last Tour-level match was a loss to Stuttgart in June 2023, is one of six men to play the Australian Open in the protected rankings.
Former land No. 4 Kei Nishikori, Pablo Carreno Busta, Reilly Opelka, Jenson Brooksby and Dominic Stricker all are on the 2025 AO entry list using protected standards.
The cutoff for major entry in both the men’s and women’s singles fields is number 98. There are 11 Aussies entered in the main event Alex de Minaur leading the Australian men’s 10 list.
Jannik Sinner reigning AO men’s champion again Aryna Sabalenka she is a two-time AO women’s champion.
The 2025 Australian Open is scheduled for January 12-26.
The three-round AO Qualifying Tournament is scheduled for January 6-9.
