It may seem like the tennis off-season gets shorter each year, but it has been roughly five months since we had one of these - It's Grand Slam time!
Yes, as the anticipation for the Australian Open begins to fade for a thirst for action, controversy and memorable moments, the world's top ladies players will slog it out once again Down Under in the hope of writing their names to tennis folklore.
2022's edition of the first Grand Slam of the year was a special one, as hometown girl Ash Barty ended 44 years of Aussie hurt as the claimed her third major - before promptly retiring soon after.
But now, new stories will be written, new chapters beginning to dawn, will this be the slam where a new talent emerges to rival the world's best as a force.
Here, we take a look at the most fascinating ties in the WTA side of the draw.
Brenda Fruhvirtova vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
All eyes will be on 15-year-old Fruhvirtova in the first round as she became the fifth-youngest player in Australian Open history and the youngest since Marta Kostyuk in 2018 to qualify for the main draw in Melbourne.
The Czech kid pulled off her second comeback from a set down in as many days, defeating Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
It's another remarkable tale and one that shows that tennis is a sport like no other as it shows if you are good enough, you are old enough.
Emma Raducanu vs Tamara Korpatsch
Ever since THAT US Open win in 2021 Brit youngster Emma Raducanu has been propelled into the tennis spotlight, with the pressure and expectation ramped up to unrealistic levels.
It may be easy to forget that she is still just 20-years-old and in 2022, a mix of loss of form, confidence and recurring injuries brought the Raducanu hype back down to earth with a big bump.
But now, having sorted out her turbulent coaching situation with the appointment of Sebastian Sachs and teaming up with Andy Murray's former fitness coach Jez Green, momentum seemed to be building ahead of this Aussie Open.
However, an early retirement at the ASB Classic in Auckland due to an ankle injury had Raducanu in tears and with the slam kicking off just 11 days after that incident, it remains to be seen if she can pull off another miracle.
Aryna Sabalenka (5) vs Tereza Martincova
Could this be the year that one of the most popular players on Tour finally claims the Grand Slam she has seemed destined to have from a young age?
Fresh from the perfect start to the year after winning the Adelaide International against a spirited Linda Noskova, Aryna Sabalenka looks to be in fine fettle for an assault on the majors this year.
Always coming close but losing her nerve in the latter stages, the Belarussian will be looking for a strong start to lay down a marker for the 14 days ahead.
If it goes by seeding Sabalenka is on a collison course for Ons Jabeur in Round Four - but these things rarely do.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Camila Giorgi
It seems every lead up to an Australian Open has some form of major emerging story attached to it with which to distract and this year is no different.
Startling revelations are still being investigated that Camila Giorgi was not inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine and instead used a FAKE Covid passport to get into Australia last year.
Given this country's history with Covid, vaccinations and tennis players, the fans attending a Giorgi match might not be too pleased if they feel they have been duped and, as we all know, Aussie folks are not known for their shy, passive nature.
Could be a fiery one.
Qinwen Zheng (29) vs Dalma Galfi
She is already being heralded by some as the 'future of women's tennis' and given Zheng Qinwen rise in the rankings, they might have a point.
The 20-year-old Chinese player has enjoyed a stunning climb in the sport, truly beginning to realise the talent that was honed by Carlos Rodriguez and former ATP pro Pere Riba.
Zheng was ranked 630th in mid-August 2020, before winning eight consecutive ITF finals across 2020 and 2021.
She made it nine straight at the WTA 125K tournament in Valencia in 2022, her streak eventually snapped in the WTA Tokyo final by Liudmila Samsonova in late September.
Despite the loss, that performance vaulted her inside the top 30.
She has beaten Bianca Andreescu, Sloane Stephens, Simona Halep, Jelena Ostapenko, Garbine Muguruza, Ons Jabeur and Paula Badosa and is certainly one to watch.
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