Bernard Tomic's long road back will begin on the outside courts of the Queensland Tennis Centre next week, where he is expected to fight for a spot in the Brisbane International main draw.
The Gold Coaster is one of 16 players vying for four berths, meaning he must win at least two matches to qualify for the season-opening event.
The 25-year-old's stocks plummeted this year as he won just 10 of 39 matches, a first-round loss in Wimbledon coming with a $20,000 fine and loss of racquet sponsor Head after he confessed he was bored.
Now ranked 141 in the world after being as high as No.17 in 2016, Tomic has been overlooked for discretionary wildcards at the Brisbane International and Australian Open and was instead told to earn his spot.
After reportedly knocking back an invitation to train with the Australian Davis Cup squad in Melbourne, Tomic has been training on the Gold Coast and is yet to be sighted at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena.
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His worrying slump led former world No.1 John Newcombe to suggest Tomic should consider taking a break from the sport.
But Brisbane International tournament director Cameron Pearson is expectant of his arrival ahead of Saturday week's qualifiers and hopeful a return to Brisbane can spark something.
"He's in the draw and as a Queenslander he's got a lot of history here so I'd love to see him make his way through," Pearson said.
"He's a quality talent at his best - a top 20 player - and I'd would love to see him back at his best."
The Brisbane International begins on December 31 and features current world No.1 Rafael Nadal as well as Andy Murray in his return from injury, Canadian Milos Raonic and Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios.
