Perth’s Hopman Cup has secured tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Andy Murray for the January international tournament.
Rising star Kyrgios will be joined by two-time Grand Slam winner Murray after organisers beat out rival Australian Open lead-up tournament, the Brisbane International, to secure the high-profile appearances.
Kyrgios, the youngest player in the top 100 with a career-high rank of 58, will pair up with Western Australian local Casey Dellacqua when they represent Australia at the $1 million mixed-gender event.
Murray will be joined by 2012 Olympian Heather Watson for the British team. Star attractions receive a handsome appearance fee and are guaranteed a minimum of three singles matches.
“I find it very good preparation for the Australian Open. The organisers look after everyone extremely well there,” said Murray, who last week cruised past Kyrgios at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
“I think just getting there early, you get at least three singles matches, you get the mixed doubles as well, which is good fun, it sharpens up the net game.”
“Now that it’s outdoors too, it’s absolutely perfect, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Dellacqua has recovered from a shoulder injury which saw her plummet down the world rankings, however a fourth-round appearance at this year’s Australian Open and a quarter-final run at the Indian Wells has propelled the 29-year-old into a career-high world No.30 ranking.
“I’m really happy to be playing the Hopman Cup again. It’s a privilege to go out and play for your country,” Dellacqua said after injury forced her out of 2014’s event.
“To play in front of my home crowd in Perth is a bonus. I’ve heard lots of great things about the Perth Arena.
“I was really disappointed that I had to withdraw from the 2013 Hopman Cup with injury, so it will be good to get out there and play for the first time.”
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