Andy Murray says his injury return against Nick Kyrgios 'is not about winning'

19th Jun 2018 | Source: BBC

Andy Murray says it is "not about winning" at the moment as he prepares to make his long-awaited comeback from a hip injury at Queen's on Tuesday.

The former world number one, returning after a year out with a hip injury, meets Australian Nick Kyrgios at the Fever-Tree Championships.

"I'm not putting pressure on myself to win," said the Briton. "I'm more concerned with how I feel on court."

Murray's match is third on Centre Court, with play starting at 12:00 BST.

Kyle Edmund, who has replaced Murray as British number one, starts his Queen's campaign against American Ryan Harrison on the same day.

Twelve-time major champion Novak Djokovic also plays on Tuesday, facing Australian qualifier John Millman.

Fifteen of the world's top 30 male players, plus Murray, Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, are competing in the west London tournament, although 18-time Slam champion Rafael Nadal and world number four Juan Martin del Potro have withdrawn.

Two former Queen's champions, Croatia's 2017 Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic and reigning ATP World Tour Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, are among the top-10 players appearing.

Britain's Dan Evans, who has been awarded a wildcard as he continues his return after a year's ban for taking cocaine, also plays on Tuesday against France's Adrian Mannarino.

You can follow all the action on BBC television, Red Button, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

The match between Murray and Kyrgios is third on Queen's Club's Centre Court on Tuesday. Play begins at 12:00 BST

Murray nervous before return

Murray practised with fellow Briton Cameron Norrie before deciding to make his competitive return at Queen's

Scot Murray, who has dropped to 157th in the world rankings, has not played competitively since Wimbledon last year and had hip surgery in January.

He admitted he would be nervous when he returns at a tournament he has won a record five times.

"There are a lot of doubts when you've not played for a long time," he said. "I'm expecting to be very nervous when I go back out there.

"Coming back from injury you're always kind of second guessing yourself. You never know exactly when you're going to be ready, but I'm looking forward to getting back out there and competing, and hopefully playing well.

"I've obviously got lots of great memories from here, from winning the tournament and playing here the first time when I was 18. I'm sure I'll have the same nerves and stuff as I did all those years ago."

I'm the best guy for Murray to play - Kyrgios

Murray has been given a tough draw against world number 21 Kyrgios, who had a good run at the Stuttgart Open last week before losing to Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

"Nick is a brilliant player on all surfaces but particularly on grass because of the way he plays and serves," said Murray.

"When he is mentally switched on he is one of the best players in the world."

Kyrgios, who is a good friend of Murray, is also continuing his own comeback from injury after missing the French Open with an elbow problem.

He insists he is now "pain-free" and believes Murray, who he watched practice on the court next to him on Monday, looks "fine".

"I was excited by the draw and I'm excited to see him back competing. He's awesome for the tour," said 23-year-old Kyrgios, who has lost all five of his previous matches against Murray.

"I'm the best guy for him to play coming back after injury. I'm very encouraging and playing someone you know and are good friends with is easier when you're coming back.

"But obviously I want to win."

Edmund on British 'buzz'

The tournament sees Kyle Edmund play the British grass-court events as the home number one for the first time, having replaced Murray in March.

"Throughout year we travel so much so it is nice to be home and play in front of a home crowd and get that support. It's a real buzz," said Edmund, 23, who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open in January.

"Attention has picked up," he added. "You get used to it and learn how to deal with it in your own way, but I get on with it and see it is a good problem.

"Look at Andy who has done it for so many years and is able to get the results like he has. That shows there are ways of doing it that help you."

Djokovic back at Queen's

Before his opener at Queen's Djokovic said his "ultimate goal" is to return to world number one

Djokovic is playing at the Queen's Club for the first time in eight years, having suffered injury problems this season.

The former world number one had said he might skip the grass-court season after losing in the French Open quarter-finals to Marco Cecchinato.

But he has now accepted a late wildcard for Queen's and said it would be "great preparation for Wimbledon".

The Serb also said he hopes to see Murray, against whom he has played seven Grand Slam finals, return to the top of the game, adding that "tennis misses" him.