Nick Kyrgios was working to shake out the rust as Australia made final preparation for the Hopman Cup mixed team event.
For the first time in the 28-year-history of the tournament, the hosts have been given two teams, doubling the chances for a potential Saturday title. Kyrgios, who plays for the Australia Green side with female partner Daria Gavrilova, will begin his 2016 campaign against teenaged German opponent Alexander Zverev while Russian-born Gavrilova plays former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.
Lleyton Hewitt, retiring at age 34 after his Australian Open run is concluded as he plays his 20th edition of the home grand slam, is heading the Australia Gold side with Jarmila Gajdosova.
Two nations for the home side is a new and experimental rules wrinkle at the hybrid event.
Both Australian sides will be trying to win a second Hopman title for the hosts at the 28th edition, with the only other honour coming in 1999 through Mark Philippoussis and Jelena Dokic.
Hewitt opens his final summer of tennis on Sunday against Czech Jiri Vesely. Also in the Hopman field is world number two Andy Murray, playing for Britain along with Heather Watson and the next opponent for Kyrgios on Tuesday.
That pair were on the same squad during last month’s IPTL exhibitions in Asia and got off to a good friendship.
With Hewitt confirmed as Australian Davis Cup captain, the old pro has big hopes for the youngster.
“He can match it with the best guys in the world. On his day he’s capable of beating anyone. That’s the kind of power and talent he has out there. It’s just a matter of doing that week in, week out,”said Hewitt.
“He likes playing on the biggest stages and the biggest tournaments.  It’s big for Davis Cup and grand slams. I feel like Nick and I have a really good respect for each other. I know his game pretty well.
“He’s got a great platform to build on for the next three to five years.”
The 34-year-old double grand slam winner served as an unofficial advisor to Kyrgios during the US hardcourt summer and is also expecting to work closely with him in the Davis scenario.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with Lleyton already and he helped me out throughout last year,” Kyrgios said.
“Every time there is a week when I’m together with him we can always sit down and catch up. If he sees anything that I can improve on, he’ll for sure speak up about it. I think we have a bit of a tight connection.”
Kyrgios fronted the media on the capital’s popular Cottesloe Beach but the ATP number 30 was unable to go in the water for a photo session due to a shark alert.
Kyrgios was most noted in 2015 as the bad boy for runs-in with Wimbledon chair umpires and Swiss Stan Wawrinka in Canada.
“I feel as if my game and the way I act on the court isn’t going to change too much,” he said.
“I’ve always been an emotional guy and I wear my heart on my sleeve.  Every time I go out there I just want to win and that’s going to be the objective my whole career. I’ve got no regrets but I knew it was going to be a roller coaster.
“I’m a young dude in his career still growing into trying to be more mature. I’ve definitely grown as a person since the start of last year so there’ll be some improvements this year.”