The 2025 tennis season is fast approaching, with the Australian Open set to kick off on January 12 at Melbourne Park. As fans gear up for the first Grand Slam of the year, excitement builds not only around reigning champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka but also around the 12 players entering the tournament through protected rankings after extended absences.
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Protected rankings allow players who have been sidelined due to injury or other significant setbacks to enter tournaments based on their previous rankings. This year, six men and six women will take advantage of this rule, including notable names like Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori, Reilly Opelka, and Katie McNally.
Returning Players to Watch
ATP Players Using Protected Rankings
- Nick Kyrgios (Australia)
Kyrgios will make his much-anticipated return to the Australian Open for the first time since 2022. Known for his flamboyant style and crowd-pleasing antics, the Australian star will aim to recapture the form that once saw him reach the tournament’s quarterfinals.
- Kei Nishikori (Japan)
A veteran of the sport, Nishikori is no stranger to success in Melbourne, having reached the quarterfinals four times. The Japanese star will look to turn back the clock and make a deep run in the 2025 tournament. - Reilly Opelka (USA)
The towering American, ranked 293 after an eight-month injury layoff, is slowly regaining form. Opelka, known for his powerful serve, will aim to make an impact in his first Australian Open appearance since 2022. - Jenson Brooksby (USA)
Brooksby’s return to Melbourne is marked by controversy. The 24-year-old was handed an 18-month suspension for missing three doping tests, later reduced to 13 months. Now eligible to play, Brooksby hopes to make a triumphant comeback after a two-year absence. - Pablo Carreno Busta (Spain)
A steady presence on the ATP Tour, Carreno Busta will be eager to regain his top form after recovering from an injury that sidelined him for much of last season.
- Dominic Stricker (Switzerland)
A rising star in Swiss tennis, Stricker will take this opportunity to test himself against the world’s best at Melbourne Park.
WTA Players Using Protected Rankings
- Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
An Olympic gold medalist, Bencic returns to Melbourne aiming to reignite her career and reclaim a spot among the WTA elite. - Katie McNally (USA)
The American player recently recovered from elbow surgery and has been working on regaining her fitness. After nine months away, she returned to competitive tennis at the WTA 125k event in November and is now eyeing success on the Grand Slam stage. - Julia Grabher (Austria)
Grabher will compete in the Australian Open for the first time since her injury, hoping to showcase her clay-court expertise on the hard courts of Melbourne. - Jodie Burrage (Great Britain)
The British hopeful will use her protected ranking to test herself against the top players in the world. - Zheng Qinwen (China)
The Chinese rising star aims to make a strong return to Grand Slam competition after a challenging year of recovery. - Danka Kovinic (Montenegro)
Kovinic will look to use her experience and grit to leave her mark on the tournament.
The American Contingent
Three American players—Reilly Opelka, Jenson Brooksby, and Katie McNally—highlight the strong U.S. representation in the 2025 Australian Open’s protected ranking entries. Their journeys back to the court have been marked by perseverance and determination.
- Reilly Opelka: After months of injury, Opelka’s powerful serve could make him a dark horse in the men’s draw.
- Jenson Brooksby: With his suspension behind him, Brooksby has the talent and skillset to make waves at Melbourne Park.
- Katie McNally: The WTA rising star has fought her way back after a lengthy hiatus, ready to prove herself against the world’s best.
A Grand Slam of Comebacks
The Australian Open 2025 promises to be a Grand Slam of comebacks, as these 12 players join the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev, and Elena Rybakina in the hunt for the prestigious title. With such a mix of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and returning talents, tennis fans are in for an exciting start to the new season.
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