TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori is headed toward his first Australian Open since 2021 after organizers named him Friday among the announced participants for the January tournament in Melbourne.

Nishikori, who will turn 35 this month, has been blighted by injuries in recent years and had hip-joint surgery in January 2022, but played at this year's French Open, ranked 350th in the world, in his first Grand Slam since the 2021 U.S. Open.

Countrymen Yoshihito Nishioka, ranked 69th, and 84th-ranked Taro Daniel were named along with Nishikori, whose ranking has risen to 106th.

Two-time Australian Open champion and 60th-ranked Naomi Osaka was named among the women who will compete, as was 56th-ranked Moyuka Uchijima for Japan.