Victorian Sam Groth is set to receive a New Year’s gift with fellow Olympian John Millman handing him direct entry to the Brisbane International after withdrawing on Friday.

Groth, last year’s Newcombe Medalist, was scheduled to start the 2017 season in qualifying at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Saturday but will now gain the last wildcard into the men’s 30-strong main draw.

Millman, the world No.84, had hoped to make his return from hip injuries at his home tournament but has instead opted to wait an extra week to test his recovery in Sydney in his only warm-up for next month’s Australian Open.