Fearnley ready for 'hostile' pro-Kyrgios crowd

Jacob Fearnley climbed into the world's top 100 in October - six months after leaving university

Australian Open 2025

Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park

Coverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

Britain's Jacob Fearnley hopes his experience of playing in some "pretty hostile environments" will prepare him for facing home favourite Nick Kyrgios in a boisterous Australian Open atmosphere.

The 23-year-old has been handed the blockbuster first-round draw on his overseas Grand Slam debut.

The pair meet at Melbourne Park on Monday at 19:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on John Cain Arena.

It is the third show-court at Melbourne Park and is a ticketless stadium known to attract a noisy crowd.

However, Fearnley learnt his trade in a United States college tennis system known for its "brutal" atmospheres, and he believes that could stand him in good stead.

"I will try to ignore [the crowd] as best as I can," said the Scot, who also faced Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon last year.

"Obviously I've been to some pretty hostile environments. Probably not [in front of] as many people going to be watching on Monday.

"I've definitely had some nasty things thrown in my direction. You just have to ignore it and move on."

Kyrgios is great for the sport - Fearnley

Kyrgios, 29, is making his Grand Slam comeback after a long absence with a wrist injury that left him fearing for his career.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist can be a polarising figure, but is loved by the Melbourne fans who always back him loudly on Cain.

With Kyrgios playing for the first time since 2022, it is bound to be a tinderbox occasion packed with emotion and noise.

"I'm a huge fan of his," said Fearnley, who enjoyed one of the fastest rises in the history of the ATP rankings last season.

"I think there are some people out there that don't agree with the stuff he does.

"But I think it's great for the sport. He increases viewership. He puts people in seats."

Fearnley has also deleted Instagram from his phone because of the volume of messages he has been receiving after the draw was announced.

"I wanted to try and stay as centered as possible," he added.

British eyes also on Draper, Burrage and... Murray

Fearnley is not the only Briton who will attract attention on day two at Melbourne Park.

British men's number one Jack Draper begins his campaign against Argentine clay-court specialist Mariano Navone on court three at about 16:00 local time (05:00 GMT).

Draper, seeded 15th, is looking to back up his run to the US Open semi-finals at the final major of 2024.

The 23-year-old left-hander has not played competitively since the end of October, having picked up a hip injury during the off-season.

In order to build up match sharpness, he practised against 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner last week on Rod Laver Arena.

"When I first came onto the tour, I remember putting my name down in Miami and no-one wanted to hit with me," Draper recalled.

"That is obviously a bit different now.

"It's really great to be able to spar with that kind of level of intensity and work ethic."

In the women's draw, British number seven Jodie Burrage returns to Grand Slam action against French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean on court 13 at 11:00 local time (00:00 GMT)

Burrage is using a protected injury ranking after missing six months of last season with wrist and ankle problems.

The 25-year-old contemplated quitting tennis because she did not know how much "fight" she had left.

Meanwhile, there is one more Briton who will be in the stands on Monday.

Former world number one Andy Murray retired from the sport in August, but has made a shock return to coach his long-time rival Djokovic.

Murray, 37, says he could not turn down the "unique opportunity" to help Serbia's Djokovic win a record-extending 11th men's title.

Another triumph for the 37-year-old Serb, who starts against American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy, will also be a standalone all-time record 25th major.