Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has missed out on a seeding for the first grand slam tournament of the year after enduring an injury-interrupted 2014 campaign.

Azarenka, 25, ended 2014 ranked 32 in the world, but a first-round loss at the Brisbane International saw her drop to 41 at the end of last week, outside the cut-off for seedings at Melbourne Park.

The Belarussian won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2012 and 2013, but battled a string of fitness and personal issues last year.

Five-time Open champion Serena Williams will be the women’s top seed as she chases a first title at Melbourne Park since 2010, while Russian Maria Sharapova is the second seed.

Samantha Stosur is the highest-ranked Australian seed at No.20, while Casey Dellacqua (No.29) will be afforded the protection of a seeding at her home grand slam tournament for the first time.

Defending men’s Open champion Stan Wawrinka has been seeded fourth behind world No.1 Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.