Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning has been awarded the event wildcard for the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
The three-time world champion retired from the World Surf League in 2018 but made a brief return as a wildcard last year at Narrabeen.
According to the 40-year-old, it was an invitation he couldn't turn down.
“Bells is the wildcard I really wanted,” Fanning said.
“Obviously, I did Narrabeen last year but Bells is the one I was really aiming for.
"It’s a place that is really close to my heart, and if I was ever going to take a wildcard, it would be there, so I’m pretty fired up."
The event's title partner Rip Curl offered Fanning the wildcard, with five other surfers also brought in to replace injured athletes.
Fanning has won four Bells Beach titles in his career, emerging victorious in 2001, 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Stephanie Gilmore, and Mark Richards have also claimed four wins, with Gail Couper the only surfer to have won the event five times.
The Australian understands that he has a chance to make history, but is concentrating on making a strong return to the water.
"To go and ring the bell for the fifth time, no-one has ever done it apart from Gail Couper," he said.
"During my career I got close, but right now I just want to focus on putting on a good performance.
"My preparation when I was on tour was non-stop training but this time around I've just been focusing on my surfing and making sure it's up to the level of the best in the world."
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will take place between April 10-20.
