Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal to revive careers at Brisbane International

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal are in the box seat to play an enticing final at the Brisbane International following the tournament’s draw release. 

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal took over Pat Rafter Arena in a supercharged practice session plenty of fans will be hoping is an entree to a Brisbane International main course as the veterans attempt to wind back the clock ahead of the Australian Open.

Crowds, including Aussie swim star and huge Nadal fan Ariarne Titmus, flocked to see the superstar pair in action ahead of what Murray hopes could again be a tournament main event.

The Scot has not played Nadal or world No.1 Novak Djokovic for more than six years and while they still occasionally practice, he said taking the pair on – preferably at the business end of tournaments – remained a goal.

Andy Murray has not played Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic in tournament for six years. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Obviously I would like the opportunity to play against them again, ideally in the latter stages of big tournaments,” Murray said.

“That’s something that obviously I’ve missed that feeling, not had that opportunity really.

“I can’t remember the last time I played them, to be honest.

“It’s been a really long time.

“If I get the opportunity to practice with them, I still really, really enjoy that. It does bring back some good memories.

“But ideally, I’d want to be doing that in the tournaments, not in the first rounds. I’d like to be doing it in the latter stages, if I can.”

That could be difficult for Murray in Brisbane after he drew second-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in an intriguing first-round clash.

Murray, a two-time winner of the Brisbane International, who beat Dimitrov in the final in 2013, said it would be a good match.

“Grigor had a brilliant season last season. Played against him at the US Open and he won comfortably,” Murray said.

“I’ll need to play really well, certainly much better than there, if I want to get through it.”

Nadal, who is returning from hip surgery following the Australian Open last year and an almost year-long lay-off, avoided meeting a seed first up at his comeback tournament after drawing a qualifier.

Nadal is returning from injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

If Nadal advances, he will play eighth-seeded Karatsev or Australian wildcard Jason Kubler in the second round, with fourth seed Ugo Humbert lurking as a potential quarter-final opponent.

“There’s a lot of interesting first-round matches,” Murray said.

“I think everyone is excited for Rafa and Naomi (Osaka) to come back and play. It’s a good start for the tournament I think.”

Osaka, who returns after giving birth to her first child Shai, a daughter with rapper Cordae, will take on Germany’s world number 84 Tamara Korpatsch in the opening round.

If she sees off Korpatsch, she will face three-time Brisbane champion Karolina Pliskova in the second round.

World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka received a first round bye.

There are plenty of accomplished players competing in Brisbane qualifying, including 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who advanced through qualifying to get his main-draw chance, and former world number eight Diego Schwartzman.

Originally published as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal to revive careers at Brisbane International