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Defending world surfing champion Gabriel Medina will return from his WSL mental health break as a wildcard when the tour heads to Indonesia next month.

Gabriel Medina could still defend his surfing world title after the Brazilian was granted a wildcard to return to the WSL Championship Tour next month in Indonesia.

Medina, a three-time world champion, hasn't featured at the first four legs after taking time out to focus on his mental health.

He'll return after next week's Margaret River Pro in Western Australia for the Quiksilver Pro G-Land, granted a wildcard for the remaining five events and a guaranteed start on the 2023 tour.

A new format this year means the size of men's and women's field will be culled after the Margaret River event, with only the top 22 men and 10 women, plus a wildcard in each, progressing.

A top-five knockout finals system will then decide the champion.

The 2022 format is part of a ground-up restructure of WSL competitions designed to create more meaningful, high-stakes surfing between the world's best.

While Medina has jagged the men's wildcard the WSL tours and competition committee have until May 9 to announce a women's recipient, with Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons among six Australian women hovering around the cut line.