Australian Open's classy move for embattled Azarenka

Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka has been granted a wildcard for next month's Australian Open.

Azarenka, who won the Melbourne Park title in 2012 and 2013, returned to the WTA Tour in June after having baby Leo, but has been involved in a custody battle that has prevented her from playing since Wimbledon.

GET EXCITED: Serena sends fans into a frenzy with suggestive pic

She withdrew from the US Open and the Fed Cup final, which Belarus lost to the United States and is currently ranked 210 in the world.

A Los Angeles judge presiding in the custody case ruled the child could not leave California until the matter had been settled.

"Vika's current situation is obviously very difficult for her and we have reached out to offer any support we can," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement.

"As a two-time Australian Open champion we've awarded her a wildcard and look forward to seeing her back on court in Melbourne in January."

Azarenka said she was thankful for the opportunity to return to Melbourne Park and hoped it would kick-start the year for her.

"I'm so excited about coming back to Melbourne for the Australian Open, its my favorite tournament," she said.

"I've won there twice and always feel so comfortable on court and the city is great.

"Its been a tough year and being able to come back to the AO will be a really positive way to start 2018."

Azarenka's inclusion means at least one grand slam-winning mum will feature at Melbourne Park next month, with momentum growing for all-time great Serena Williams to return to tennis to defend her title.

Williams won the 2017 tournament while several weeks pregnant with baby daughter Alexis, giving birth on September 1.

She was named on the 2018 entry list last week and is widely expected to return to tennis at Melbourne Park.

Williams and Azarenka will be gunning to join Kim Clijsters as a major-winning mum, who won the 2011 Australian Open after the birth of her daughter Jade three years earlier.

Australian legends Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong-Cawley are the only other women to claim grand slams in the Open era as mothers.

Azarenka joins local hopes Jaimee Fourlis and Olivia Rogowska as wildcard entries into the tournament which begins on January 15.

with agencies