Aryna Sabalenka will begin her preparations for defending her Australian Open title at the Brisbane International, organizers said on Monday. Elena Rybakina, who was defeated by Belarusian Sabalenka in the final in Melbourne earlier this year, will also compete in the December 31 to January 7 Brisbane event. Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has already been named in the players list as she returns to the field after a break.

I’m looking forward to beginning my 2024 Australian season in Brisbane, Sabalenka stated in a statement released by the organizers. Australia holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there, the World No.2 player added.

Cam Pearson, tournament director, said he was looking forward to hosting Belarusian Sabalenka and fourth-ranked Kazakh Rybakina, who was born in Moscow. We all remember the exciting Australian Open final that the girls played at the start of the year, he said during a news conference. That has really kicked off what is a pretty exciting rivalry between the two players, Pearson added.

On the men’s side, fast-rising World No.17 Ben Shelton of the United States will be there in the draw that also includes three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray. Pearson stated that if Australian Nick Kyrgios recovers from his injury in time, he will be welcomed to the tournament. We would love to have him here, he’s a past champion and a fan favorite but he needs to do what’s best for him and his recovery, Pearson expressed. If that means he’s playing in January, fantastic, he concluded. Kyrgios had knee surgery in January and then canceled his Wimbledon comeback after injuring a ligament in his wrist.

Earlier on Sunday, Rafael Nadal, the former World No.1, said that he will make a comeback at the Brisbane International, a warm-up event for the Australian Open in January 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been out of competition since exiting in the second round of this year’s Australian Open due to a hip flexor problem.

After a year away from competition, it’s time to come back, Nadal shared in a video posted to social media. It will be in Brisbane, the first week of January. I’ll see you there, the Spaniard added. Nadal also expressed his desire to compete in another French Open and to represent Spain at the Olympics in Paris next year before concluding his tennis career.