In announcing a prize money increase at the 2018 Australian Open, tournament director Craig Tiley said that all of the Top 100 men and women are expected to be there. That includes some players who have been out of competition for months, or longer.
Here's five of the biggest names expected to return to action in Melbourne.
1
Serena Williams
The Australian Open was the last event of 2017 for the defending champion. The new mom is planning on going for her eighth title in Australia, and if this recent photo is any indication, she's already in Grand Slam mode.