- The Australian is under a cloud of injuries days before the Grand Slam
- The draw was announced Thursday afternoon local time.
Nick Kyrgios has avoided facing a top seed in the first round of his country's Grand Slam but could face a daunting showdown if he makes it to the third round in Melbourne.
The 29-year-old will face Jacob Fearnley in his first match, with the British star currently ranked 86th in the world.
If he wins that match, he could face Sebastián Báez in the second round, with the Argentine ranked 28th in the world.
And if Kyrgios progresses, a very tough test would await him: German Alexander Zverev, world number 2.
Tennis fans dreaming of seeing him take on defending champion Jannik Sinner will likely be disappointed as the two are on opposite sides of the draw and can only meet in the final.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured practicing in Melbourne on Thursday) has avoided facing any of the Australian Open's biggest stars.
The Australian firebrand will face Britain's Jacob Fearnley (pictured) in his first match, with tough tests ahead if he advances against the world number 86.
The outspoken Australian enters the Grand Slam under a cloud of injuries after announcing he has an abdominal strain that could put him in doubt for the tournament, although he was seen practicing on Thursday in an indication it is not a serious setback.
Australia's best hope in the men's draw, Alex De Minaur, has Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger in the same quarter of the draw as him, while another local star, Jordan Thompson, faces a first-round qualifier.
Australians Daria Saville and Ajla Tomljanovic have avoided playing as seeds in the first round.
More to come…