ANDY READY TO ROAR!
Nobody, not even Andy Murray, knows quite what they are going to get from the man facing him on his comeback today, Nick Kyrgios.
The two of them are quite close, but it was assumed the mercurial Australian would pledge to show no mercy when asked about this afternoon’s first-round clash in the FeverTree Championships.
Kyrgios was, however, disarming in his analysis. ‘I don’t know if it’s business only and ruthless. I don’t know if I ever have that mentality,’ he said. ‘I’m going to go out there and play like I always play. I want to win, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not going to not have fun or not enjoy myself at the same time.’
If last week at the Stuttgart open is anything to go by — where he so nearly beat Roger Federer in the semi-final — there will be a smattering of between-the-legs shots mixed in with lightning serves from his fast arm. He simply refuses to conform.
‘I have always been like that,’ said Kyrgios. ‘I have always just played on instinct since I was young. I don’t do it just to crowd-please or something. I just do it because it feels like what I want to do out there.’
Certainly, Murray will be taking the match very seriously indeed as he attempts to launch what will likely be the final phase of his career.
In 2005 he announced himself with a first-ever main ATP Tour win here over a Spaniard named Santiago Ventura. Today, 13 years on and 342 days after he last played a proper match, he will confront not just a very different opponent but also the fears over the state of his hip and how his body will hold up.
A big motivation for the 31-year-old Scot is to play on long enough for his two daughters to be able to see him perform professionally at an age when they can properly remember him. Presently, he would surely settle for some respectable showings between now and the end of Wimbledon.
Kyrgios was on a court next door yesterday as Murray practised with seven-feet tall Reilly opelka. Kyrgios’ diagnosis was a simple one: ‘I watched a little of him today, he looked fine.’
When he was told who he had drawn at Queen’s, he said: ‘I just smiled, I’m excited. He (Murray) is one of my better mates on tour. It’s good to see him back. I think it’s been pretty s **** y without him. To see him healthy is obviously the main thing. I think he’s awesome for the sport.’
The tournament opened yesterday with defeats for brits Cam Norrie and Jay Clarke against high-class opposition in Stan Wawrinka and Sam Querrey respectively.
Today’s order of play sees Novak djokovic in action — against Australian John Millman — as well as british No 1 Kyle Edmund against American Ryan Harrison, and dan Evans’ wildcard giving him a tough task against French world No 26 Adrian Mannarino. LIVE on BBC 2 from 1pm. Murray v Kyrgios approx 3pm.