Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has left the door open for Nick Kyrgios to rejoin the squad later within the yr after the big-server and world No. 28 Jordan had been each dominated out of this weekend’s tie towards Sweden.
The belly harm that plagued him on the Australian Open earlier this month thwarted Hewitt’s plans to unleash Kyrgios for hit first Davis Cup look in additional than 5 years, with Aleksandar Vukic incomes his debut on the again of terrific performances at his dwelling grand slam.
Thompson additionally dominated out of the tie as a result of foot and lower-leg accidents with doubles specialists Matthew Ebden and John Friends returning for obligation alongside spearhead Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis who travelled to Stockholm however might not play.
“Nick received’t be coming right here. He’s suffered a few accidents by the Australian summer season,” Hewitt stated.
“I used to be excited to consider the potential for him to be again within the Davis Cup workforce, however it wasn’t to be and clearly he’s very underdone together with his physique, so it’s not shocking he’s bought an harm attempting to play five-set tennis right away with out many matches.
“Hopefully, fingers crossed, we get by and he could also be an choice down the observe.
“I’m very comfortable and assured with the squad that I’ve at my disposal. Very pleased with the blokes too to be trustworthy as a result of they make it a precedence to play for Australia … It’s not a straightforward time for us.
“We’ve had a whole lot of strain and expectation enjoying in Australia after which right away hop on a airplane and make this a precedence.”
The accidents have paved the best way for world no.66 Vukic to develop into Australia’s 116th Davis Cup consultant on this weekend’s tie towards Sweden after he reached the third spherical in Melbourne the place he misplaced a heartbreaking fifth set tiebreak.
Vukic was introduced his Davis Cup jacket by the legendary Ken Rosewall, with the debutant to associate world no.8 Alex de Minaur who led Australia to the semi-finals in final yr’s occasion.
“Very privileged and particularly to be surrounded by legends of the Australian tennis scene. It’s a really, very huge honour for me,” he stated after flying out together with his teammates on Sunday.
“I’ll do my finest to do my half to signify the nation and signify everybody there the perfect that I can.
“Lleyton (Hewitt), Rochey (Tony Roche) and Crabby (Jaymon Crabb), they sat me down the day after I misplaced (on the Australian Open) and advised me (that I had been chosen for the Davis Cup workforce), so it type of softened the blow after shedding that match,” he stated.
“It was very good to listen to, and I positively walked out of Melbourne with extra of a smile on my face for certain.”
