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Kicking off their 2019 season, tennis superstars Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray and Grigor Dimitrov have announced they will hit the courts at the upcoming Brisbane International.
The trio of giants will face off at the Pat Rafter Arena alongside other champions including world No.1 Rafael Nadal, Kei Nishikori and recent US Open women's singles victor Naomi Osaka.
Currently ranked 27 in the world, controversial icon Kyrgios aims to defend his title at the Brisbane International which he won last year after defeating America's Ryan Harrison in straight sets.
"The memories of that event are so enjoyable. I did a little training block in Brisbane before Brisbane started, so it felt like home, and the tournament worked out so well as preparation for the Australian Open," says Kyrgios.
"Obviously winning it helped, but I played some really good matches there and the crowd was unbelievable and it's something that I'm really looking forward to.
"The noise in that arena is very loud. It's an unbelievable vibe. I really love playing in front of the crowd in Brisbane."
Former world No.1 Andy Murray cut his 2018 playing season short in order to be fit for the Brisbane tournament which will take place in December-January this year.
Andy Murray (L) and 2017 Brisbane International champion Grigor Dimitrov (R)
Murray is excited to return to the competition at which he says all the players exemplify "good form".
"I always enjoy going back there. It's the first tournament of the year and the Aussies are always great fun to be around," he says.
"They support the events extremely well and all of the players are always on good form and pumped because it's the start of the new season. It's a very intimate tournament as well, the fans can get really close to the players on the practice courts and they get great crowds from the beginning of the tournament."
Dimitrov, who was the Brisbane International champion in 2017, has become a mainstay at the competition and says it is always a "refreshing" start to the year.
"I'm very excited to just play there. I think the crowd is amazing," says Dimitrov.
"The court is so nice. I mean, you have a little bit of the off season, then all of a sudden you come back to basically a full house every time you play. Hopefully I'm able to deliver again and again every time."
This latest player announcement comes as tickets to the Brisbane International today go on sale via Ticketek.
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