Rising British star Jacob Fearnley is set to face Nick Kyrgios – and a partisan home crowd – in the controversial Australian’s planned return to Grand Slam tennis.
Kyrgios, who has been given a wildcard by Australian Open organisers, has not played at a major since the 2022 US Open after a series of injuries.
Jack Draper, seeded 15th, faces Argentina’s Mariano Navone as the British men’s number one looks to back up last year’s US Open semi-final run.
In the women’s draw, British number one and 22nd seed Katie Boulter starts against Canada’s Rebecca Marino, while Emma Raducanu faces 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Novak Djokovic, who is being coached by Andy Murray in Melbourne, faces American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy as he pursues a standalone record of 25 Grand Slam titles.
Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner opens against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, while Aryna Sabalenka begins her bid for a third straight women’s title against 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens.