Austria's Dominic Thiem hits a return against Australia's Nick Kyrgios during their men's singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Feb 12, 2021. (PAUL CROCK / AFP)

MELBOURNE - Former Australian Open finalist Dominic Thiem has been given a wildcard to the Grand Slam next month after missing last year's tournament due to injury, organizers said on Friday.

The Austrian gave the 2020 champion Novak Djokovic a huge scare before losing in five sets in a classic final.

Former world number three Thiem later made his Grand Slam breakthrough at that year's US Open.

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He struggled with a serious wrist injury the following season but the powerful 29-year-old has been on the comeback trail this year, improving his world ranking to 102 from outside the top 350 in June.

Austria's Dominic Thiem serves during his men's singles match against Bolivia's Hugo Dellien at the Court Simonne-Mathieu on day one of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 22, 2022. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

Frenchman Luca Van Assche has also been given a wildcard, while Americans Taylor Townsend and Christopher Eubanks and Frenchwoman Diane Parry were awarded wildcards in the women's tournament.

The four outstanding wildcards - two men and two women - will be awarded next week, organizers said.