Murray, a two-time champion in Brisbane, and three-time winner Pliskova were joined by rising Australian star, and Gold Coast local, Kimberly Birrell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Murray is thrilled to be back at the Brisbane International, where he scooped the 2012 and 2013 titles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI always love playing in Australia and it\u2019s been great to start the year in Brisbane for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think 2018 was the last time I was here, so it\u2019s good to be back.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The three-time Grand Slam champion was less impressed when he was the last name to be placed in the 32-player draw, pitting him against second seed Grigor Dimitrov.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This sets up a rematch of the Brisbane International 2013 final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Another former world No.1, Rafael Nadal, will face a qualifier in the opening round, while top seed Holger Rune meets Australian Max Purcell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The women\u2019s singles draw is expanded this year to include 48 players, a significant increase of 30 from previous editions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 16 seeded players, which includes world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka and world No.4 Elena Rybakina, receive opening-round byes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pliskova, the No.16 seed, has won 16 of her past 17 matches at the Brisbane International. This includes title-winning runs in 2017, 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first tournament of the year and always important to start well, which I did in the past years,\u201d Pliskova said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have great memories at this club and this city, so hopefully I can start well (again).\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wildcard Naomi Osaka, a former world No.1 contesting her first tournament since September 2022, looms as a potential second-round opponent for Pliskova.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Osaka begins her highly anticipated comeback against German Tamara Korpatsch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2023\/12\/i-always-love-playing-in-australia-and-its-been-great-to-start-the-year-in-brisbane-for-me-says-andy-murray.jpeg", "alt_img": "I always love playing in Australia and it\u2019s been great to start the year in Brisbane for me, says An", "alt_title": "Murray overcomes Hanfmann challenge in Swiss Indoors opener", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "I Always Love Playing In Australia And It\u2019s Been Great To Start The Year In Brisbane For Me, Says Andy Murray On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "I Always Love Playing In Australia And It\u2019s Been Great To Start The Year In Brisbane For Me, Says Andy Murray, Former Brisbane International: Former Brisbane International champions Andy Murray and Karolina Pliskova were on hand for the official tournament draw.", "seo_keywords": "Andy Murray, Former Brisbane International, Karolina Pliskova, Queensland Tennis Centre, Gold Coast, Kimberly Birrell, Brisbane International, Grand Slam, Grigor Dimitrov, Rafael Nadal, Holger Rune, Australian Max Purcell, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena", "tag": "", "tagging": "Andy Murray, Former Brisbane International, Karolina Pliskova, Queensland Tennis Centre, Gold Coast, Kimberly Birrell, Brisbane International, Grand Slam, Grigor Dimitrov, Rafael Nadal, Holger Rune, Australian Max Purcell, Aryna Sabalenka", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "i-always-love-playing-in-australia-and-its-been-great-to-start-the-year-in-brisbane-for-me-says-andy-murray", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "873", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2023-12-30 11:08:04", "updated": "2023-12-30 11:08:04", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Andy Murray, Former Brisbane International, Karolina Pliskova, Queensland Tennis Centre, Gold Coast, Kimberly Birrell, Brisbane International, Grand Slam, Grigor Dimitrov, Rafael Nadal, Holger Rune, Australian Max Purcell, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2023-12-30 11:08:04", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/i-always-love-playing-in-australia-and-its-been-great-to-start-the-year-in-brisbane-for-me-says-andy-murray-135058" }