8 November 2013 | Tennis Queensland

Australian Open 2013 junior champion Nick Kyrgios and world No.17 Kei Nishikori of Japan will play at the Brisbane International 2014 presented by Suncorp.

18-year-old Kyrgios from Canberra is the first wildcard to be announced for the 2014 tournament.

“It’s a great honour to be able to play in a tournament like Brisbane and get some good matches under my belt in the lead up to the Australian Open,” said Kyrgios, a former world No.1 junior.

This will not be the first time the talented youngster has competed at the Brisbane International. In 2013 he contested the qualifying rounds.

“I really enjoyed it last time,” said Kyrgios, who is currently coached by Simon Rea of Tennis Australia. “The crowd, the atmosphere around the courts, and the player facilities were all really good,” he added.

The Canberrian is excited that he may play Roger Federer in Brisbane this summer, and believes it would be a life changing experience.

“That is something that no one can take away from you … you’re going to keep that for the rest of your life playing Roger Federer, and you will get an amazing amount of confidence from it as well,” said Kyrgios.

“My short term goal is to definitely do my best at Brisbane … to do well will help set me up for the rest of the year,” he continued.

Like Kyrgios, Japanese crowd favourite Kei Nishikori will also start 2014 in Brisbane.

“I really enjoy returning to Brisbane each year because of the great crowds and the relaxed atmosphere in and around the tournament,” said 23-year-old Nishikori.

“I have had some good results over the years in Brisbane also, so for me it is the perfect place to launch my year,” he added.

Earlier this year Nishikori reached the semifinals of the Brisbane International but retired with a left knee injury. In 2012 he progressed to the round of 16, and in 2009 he was a quarter finalist.

Brisbane International Tournament Director, Cameron Pearson, is looking forward to welcoming back Kyrigos and Nishikori to Queensland.

“Awarding our first wildcard to Nick was an easy decision. He is an exceptional young player who has the results on the board,” Pearson revealed.

“This year he won the Australian Open junior title without dropping a set, and then went on to win his first ATP level match at the French Open as a wildcard, defeating Radek Stepanek our 2009 Brisbane International champion. At Wimbledon Nick also enjoyed success, winning the junior doubles title, and at the US Open he qualified, and although he lost to world No.3 David Ferrer in the first round, he showed he belonged on court with the world’s best,” Pearson continued.

“We’re also excited to welcome back Kei Nishikori,” said Pearson. “He is a very accomplished top 20 player, who has three career titles and a big fan base here in Australia.

“2014 will be Nishikori’s fourth appearance at the tournament and I’m sure his supporters will be happy to hear he’s returning to the river city this summer,” Pearson added.