Steffi Graf is expected to re-launch her career at next month's Australian Open. She last played in June before having surgery for a knee injury, but has confirmed her entry for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Her ranking has slipped to number 28 and she has cancelled several planned comebacks in the past two months.

Graf, a four-time winner of the Australian Open, joins defending champion Martina Hingis, fourtime winner Monica Seles and American Venus Williams, the US Open finalist, as major draw cards for the tournament starting on January 19th.