Kyrgios row no issue for Brisbane

TOURNAMENT director Geoff Quinlan has backed Nick Kyrgios to thrive at the Brisbane International after confirming the Australian star will play in the 2018 event.

Quinlan said it was too early to comment on Kyrgios’s behaviour at the Shanghai Masters where he quit after losing the first set against American Steve Johnson.

Kyrgios claimed he was injured and ill despite television footage and audio capturing the Australian telling his courtside box he’d quit after the first set in an apparent protest at chair umpire Fergus Murphy.

Kyrgios is being investigated over the incident but Quinlan would not speculate on any potential risk of the Australian missing the Brisbane International due to suspension.

“With respect to last night, it’s too early to comment,” Quinlan said.

“(But) we are thrilled for Nick to be joining us.

“He’s one of the most talented players on tour and played well here with the Davis Cup team.”

Kyrgios won the reverse singles rubber which sealed Australia’s Davis Cup quarterfinal victory over the United States at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena in April.

Quinlan believed that experience would help bring the best out of Kyrgios in Brisbane next year.

“He spoke about how much he enjoyed his time here, how he liked the intimacy of the arena, how comfortable he is in Brisbane and just rudimentary things like the pace of the court,” Quinlan said.

Quinlan also confirmed Australian Ash Barty – at a career high world No.23 ranking – would play in Brisbane.

He also left the door open for Serena Williams after the 23-time grand slam winner confirmed she would defend her Australian Open title in January despite giving birth to her first child last month.

Williams won the Brisbane tournament in 2013 and 2014.

Quinlan said he had already begun talks with the 36-yearold to use the Brisbane event as her Australian Open warm-up.