Nadal, Djokovic to test injuries at Kooyong

MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will use the Kooyong Classic starting today as a convenient emergency stop to gain much-needed match practice as the pair return from injury in time for the Australian Open.

Not since the glory days of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras nearly two decades ago and more recently Roger Federer, has the long-time exhibition event hosted as distinguished a field.

The upcoming edition will feature five of the world’s top 10, including ATP Finals runner-up and two-time Kooyong champion David Goffin, Austrian Dominic Thiem, Croat Marin Cilic and Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

Under the ad-hoc rules, late additions Nadal and Djokovic will be playing practice matches.

World No 1 Nadal, who missed the warm-up Brisbane International last week with a knee injury, is set for just one appearance today when he faces France’s Richard Gasquet.

Djokovic, who hasn’t played competitively since a right elbow problem forced him to quit Wimbledon in the quarter-finals in July, is due to play Thiem tomorrow.

The women’s draw, now into a second season after being introduced in 2017, includes new Hopman Cup champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, German Andrea Petkovic, Aussie teen Destanee Aiava and young Chinese star Wang Xinyu.

Meanwhile, three-times grand slam champion Andy Murray underwent hip surgery yesterday but he is optimistic about his chances of returning in time for Wimbledon and believes he can still challenge for major titles.

The 30-year-old Briton has not played a competitive match since hobbling to defeat by Sam Querrey in the Wimbledon quarterfinals six months ago and last week he withdrew from the Australian Open.

“Today I underwent successful right hip surgery at the St Vincent Hospital in Melbourne,” Murray said on Facebook.

Murray, who ended 2016 as World No 1, has slipped down to 19th in the rankings but the Scot is confident he can return to the top of the sport.