Brisbane International: Naomi Osaka headlines entrants, Nick Kyrgios’ return uncertain

Naomi Osaka’s long-awaited return to professional tennis is set to come at the Brisbane International. Plus will Nick Kyrgios join the star-studded entrants? Details here.

Naomi Osaka. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)

Former world No.1 Naomi Osaka will make her WTA comeback at the Brisbane International in January while Nick Kyrgios’ pre-Australian Open plans remain uncertain.

Osaka, 26, who has not played a professional match since September 2022, was on Friday revealed as one of five stars who have already committed to the December 31 - January 7 tournament.

The four-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Australian Open winner is a major get for the Brisbane International, which will return to the Australian summer sporting schedule for the first time since 2020.

Naomi Osaka is coming back to professional tennis. Picture: Getty

“I am really excited about getting back on the court and competing,” said Osaka, who made back-to-back semi-final appearances at the Brisbane International in 2019 and 2020.

“I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to return.

“The Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.”

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray headlines an ATP draw that will also include Danish sensation Holger Rune and Bulgarian fan-favourite Grigor Dimitrov, who won the tournament in 2017.

Inaugural Brisbane International champion Victoria Azarenka, who boasts a 15-2 win-loss record at the tournament, will also feature in the expanded 48-player women’s draw, alongside Osaka.

Player nominations close in early December.

Nick Kyrgios is closing in on a return from injury. Picture: Getty Images

Tournament director Cam Pearson said there had been early contact with Kyrgios’ camp about the polarising Aussie superstar making his return in Brisbane.

Kyrgios won the event in 2018.

But the 28-year-old, who has played just one tour match since withdrawing from this year’s Australian Open, remains on the comeback trail from injury.

Pearson said he was hopeful Kyrgios would be fit to feature in Brisbane.

“Nick is at home in Canberra recovering from wrist surgery. There has certainly been a lot of conversations to see whether or not he’ll be ready in time for January and that’s still a wait and see approach,” Pearson said.

“We’ve got another month before entries close. Nick has got time to continue his rehab and it would be great to see him out on the courts in January, for sure.

“Nick needs to do what is best for Nick. He’s played here before, he really enjoys playing out here, so I would be really hopeful that if we see him playing in January, we’ll see him here in Brisbane.”

Originally published as Brisbane International: Naomi Osaka headlines entrants, Nick Kyrgios’ return uncertain