Murray excited to play Nadal for first time in five years at World Tennis Championship

Andy Murray will renew his rivalry with fellow veteran Rafael Nadal at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship on Friday.

The two former world number ones will play each other for the first time in more than five years at the pre-season exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

Nadal, who has won 17 of their previous encounters to Murray's seven, will be playing competitively for the first time in four months after time out with a foot injury.

Murray opened his campaign in Abu Dhabi on Thursday with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Dan Evans in a Battle of the Brits, the first meeting between the two.

IMAGE: AP