A record 17 tournaments will be held before the Open at Melbourne Park from January 17-30.

This year's ATP Cup, as well as all other AO lead-up events, was held at Melbourne Park because of the global pandemic.

But with the country opening up, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and even regional Victoria will enjoy a slice of the action this summer.

The bumper program begins on New Year's Day with the 16-team ATP Cup from January 1-9, while Australia's world No.1 Ash Barty is expected to open her summer at the women's Adelaide International from January 2-9.

A new, one-off Sydney Tennis Classic, a combined men's and women's event featuring a WTA 500 and ATP 250, will take place in Sydney from January 9-15.

That same week, the world's best men's and women's players will return to Adelaide for a second event in the South Australia capital.

Bendigo and Traralgon will also host ATP Challenger and ITF women's tournaments from January 2-9.

There will also be two WTA 250 tournaments and one ATP 250 at Melbourne Park from January 3-9 before Australian Open qualifying starts the following day.

"We have worked closely with both the women's and men's tour and would like to particularly thank our government partners across the country who have all been tireless in their efforts to bring the tennis back in 2022," Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said.

"I know it was sorely missed this year, and we are already planning to have a full program of events across the country in 2023.

"It's also fantastic to bring tennis back to regional Victoria, where I know the local communities of Bendigo and Traralgon will welcome these global events with open arms.

"It is not news to anyone that the pandemic, closed borders and varying rates of vaccination created a massive challenge for us and led to the changes specifically for the summer."

AUSTRALIAN SUMMER OF TENNIS:-

ATP Cup: Sydney Olympic Park, men's team event, Jan 1-9

Adelaide International: Memorial Drive, WTA and ATP women's and men's events, Jan 2-9

Bendigo International, ATP Challenger and ITF women's events, Jan 2-9

Traralgon International, ATP Challenger and ITF women's events, Jan 2-9

Melbourne Summer Events, WTA and ATP women's and men's events, Jan 3-9

Victorian Wheelchair Open, Hume Tennis Centre, Jan 8-12

Sydney Tennis Classic, Sydney Olympic Park, WTA and ATP women's and men's events, Jan 9-15

Adelaide International: Memorial Drive, WTA and ATP women's and men's events, Jan 9-15

Melbourne Wheelchair Open, Hume Tennis Centre, Jan 9-15

Australian Open qualifying, Melbourne Park, January 10-14

Australian Open, Melbourne Park, Jan 17-30.

Australian Associated Press