Oh, and the teams have all got nicknames.

So this is Team Soul v The Swingers.

Murray and Skupski have been given that after the heart they showed against Rafa Nadal and Feli Lopez in the Davis Cup semi-final, while Broady and Norrie's moniker is - I think - because they are both lefties.

The Swingers start strongly, earning a break point in the first game...

Ready? Play.

We're back, baby.

More on that Novak news later...

Back in Roehampton, the players are just finishing their warm-ups. James Keothavong is the chair umpire, ably assisted by Hawk-Eye cameras to patrol the lines.

Image source, Getty Images

As a result of the news from the Adria Tour, Jamie Murray admits there will be "extra eyes" on the tournament this week.

Murray says plans are in place at the London event to protect the players.

"We keep reminding everyone to keep to the 2m social distancing," he said. "All the systems are in place. There's social distancing, a one-way system.

"All the guys have been tested and will be tested every day. It's unfortunate what happened with the Adria Tour and we're doing all we can to limit that from happening here.

"There will be a few more eyes on us after what happened to the Adria Tour, but everyone has to be on top of their game when it comes to social distancing. We don't want anyone to get sick."

As I alluded to earlier, you will have heard about the controversy over one of these regional events. That's the one held in the Balkans and organised by Novak Djokovic.

Criticism was already heading the way of the event - and the Serb world number one - after pictures of players hugging, dancing together in nightclubs and mingling with fans emerged.

No rules in those host countries - which have not seen high numbers of Covid-19 cases recorded during the coronavirus pandemic - were broken.

But the lack of social distancing was not a good look. Since then, it has taken a serious turn for the worst with Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric being among several people who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

That has led to some vociferous criticism of Djokovic, including calls for him to resign from his role as the chair of the ATP Players' Council, and some disapproving comments from his fellow pros.

Novak Djokovic has tested positive for Covid-19, he has just announced.

That came after several others who participated in his Adria Tour event also tested positive.

More details from the Serb's statement here...

A wolf whistle greets Liam Broady as he is the first to emerge onto the near-empty court at the National Tennis Centre. Apparently, he wants to be a zoo keeper when he is older... maybe that's why he likes growing out the thick whiskers on his chops.

Team-mate Cameron Norrie troops out seconds after, followed by Neal Skupski and the tournament director.

Thankfully Jamie is wearing his kit, not a suit.

Clear your diaries for the next seven hours or so...

This is today's order of play, with play starting at 1pm:

Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski v Liam Broady/Cameron Norrie

Kyle Edmund v James Ward

Dan Evans v Jay Clarke

Andy Murray v Liam Broady

Jack Draper/Kyle Edmund v Jay Clarke/Dom Inglot

As ever, we need your input. Being a live texter is a lonely existence at the best of times, even more so when you're sat alone on your kitchen table with only the kettle for company.

*sobs*

Please ping us a message on Twitter using #bbctennis, tell us how excited you are, where you are following from, who you think will win the event, etc, etc.

The floor is yours...

The two men who the groups are named after have appeared on the television to give their thoughts about the competition.

Interesting art on Tim Henman's wall - looks a like a drawing of a dog by the side of another illustration of a horse. Peeking at people's houses has been one of the fun things about lockdown.

Henman's hair doesn't look a day different. Rusedski looks like the bassist out of The Killers. Indie rock'n'roll.

Eight men split into two groups, round-robin matches followed by the semis and final.

Here is how they have been split up...

Image source, Battle Of The Brits

But don't worry, folks. Lots of precautions are being taken. All the players have been tested, temperatures will be taken of everyone going into the National Tennis Centre and everyone will be socially distanced.

There is no crowd and no ball kids. So those balls and towels will have to be picked up by the players. Tough life.

Not sure what this is all about? Let me tell you.

So, with the ATP and WTA tours suspended since March and not back - as it stands - until August, many players and governing bodies have been organising domestic and regional events to keep fit and keep those inner fires burning.

While some have created controversy and been heavily criticised (more on that shortly), the Brits are hoping their event brings nothing but positive vibes to their tennis-starved fans.

Jamie Murray came up with the idea, which sees Britain's eight leading men battling to be crowned the champ. Not only that, the event aims to raise £100,000 for the NHS Together Charity.

What's not to love?

Image source, Getty Images

Hello! It's been a long time, so let's step to and try again.

While this isn't an actual competition, in terms of ATP points, it is certainly the next best thing.

Dig out that Union Jack hanky to keep the sun off your bonce, grab a punnet of sweet strawbs and kick back in the sun by following some tennis.

Welcome to the Battle of the Brits!

Andy's back (with lockdown beard)...

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie's back (with lockdown skinhead growing out)...

Image source, Getty Images

They're all back (with safe social-distance measures in place)!!

Image source, Battle of the Brits

BRITISH TENNIS IS BACK (sort of...)!!!