Like Kyrgios, Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Belinda Bencic will also use her protected ranking to enter the Australian Open main draw after missing all of this year’s Grand Slams following the birth of her daughter Bella in April.
British number one Draper has never gone beyond the second round of the Australian Open but is hoping to build further momentum after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open in September.
Kartal, 23, will make his main draw debut in Melbourne, while Burrage, 25, was knocked out in the first round in 2024.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, who top the men’s and women’s rankings, are both in the main draw, while 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, targeting a record 11th Australian Open crown, is also confirmed for the event.
Former world number four Kei Nishikori is another player who used his protected ranking to return to the Australian Open for the first time since 2021.
