Andy Murray keen on Nick Kyrgios reunion but more pranks not on agenda

Andy Murray and Nick Kyrgios teamed up for the Singapore Slammers in the International Premier Tennis League. Photograph: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images

WORLD No2 Andy Murray says he is looking forward to catching up with Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios but is not expecting any pranks at next week’s Hopman Cup in Perth.
Murray and Kyrgios were team-mates at this month’s International Premier Tennis League, and the pair have formed a strong friendship. But the duo will be on opposing sides at the mixed teams Hopman Cup, with Kyrgios’s Australia team to take on Murray’s Great Britain on Wednesday.

The pair enjoyed plenty of laughs during their recent time together, but Murray says it will be all business when they face off against each other at Perth Arena next Wednesday night.

“We were team-mates there [in Dubai], and now we’re rivals. So no pranks,” Murray said. “I like Nick, I always have done. “I spent a bit more time with him over in Dubai and [we’ve sent] a few messages back and forth since then.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him. I think he’s a young, exciting player to watch. He loves playing in Australia. He played some great tennis at the Aussie Open last year and I’m sure he will do the same again this year.”

Before he faces off against Kyrgios, Murray will take on exciting Frenchman Gael Monfils on Monday night in Great Britain’s Hopman Cup opener.
Murray is a four-time losing finalist at the Australian Open, but he hopes the Hopman Cup will give him the best launching pad to break that duck.

The world No1, Novak Djokovic, is the hot favourite to win a sixth Australian Open crown, and Murray knows he needs to lift his game if he is to challenge the in-form Serb.

“Novak’s consistency last year – he made the final in every single tournament bar one,” Murray said. “It’s unbelievable. I need to try to find a way to get closer this year.”

Murray is riding a wave of confidence himself after a year in which he guided Great Britain to the Davis Cup crown. theguardian.com