Nick Kyrgios has missed out on a spot on Australia’s Davis Cup team while doubles teammate Thanasi Kokkinakis received a call up from captain Lleyton Hewitt for Australia’s upcoming Sydney tie against Hungary in March.
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Kyrgios’ form throughout the Australian Open was not enough to earn him selection, with Hewitt going with debutant Luke Saville, Kokkinakis, world number 12 doubles specialist John Peers, top ranked Aussie man Alex de Minaur and world number 65 Alexei Popyrin
Kyrgios hasn’t played in the Davis Cup since 2019 – the same year he missed selection for “failing cultural standards”.
However, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Kyrgios’ Davis Cup exile may end soon, with sources telling the publication that Hewitt approached the world No 113 regarding a return during the Australian Open.
Hewitt said he’s gone with a team he believes will be able unsettle the Hungarians, who will be led by world number 39 Marton Fucsovics.
“Alex has had most of his recent success in Sydney, winning the Sydney international a few years back but also some of his best results last month, including quality wins against [Matteo] Berrettini and [Ugo] Humbert,” Hewitt said.
“Thanasi had a fantastic Australian summer. He really cemented himself as a top-100 player again, winning his first title at home in Adelaide and beating quality players.
“And then to go on to win the Australian Open doubles, this is going to give him a lot of confidence heading into this tie.
“Popyrin got an opportunity to play a big Davis Cup match in the finals last year. He has a lot of firepower out there, a lot of weapons as well, and certainly [is] an option for singles or doubles.
“John Peers has been a regular in the Davis Cup team for a number of years now. He’s a top 15 doubles player. He won the Sydney Tennis Classic a couple of weeks ago and played exceptionally well with Luke Saville at the ATP Cup last month.
“And Luke gets his first opportunity to represent Australia at Davis Cup. It’s something he has worked extremely hard for, and I couldn’t be prouder of him to get this opportunity and being able to present him with a gold jacket and his number,” Hewitt added.
The call up for Kokkinakis is his first in the Davis Cup since 2015.
“I’m obviously stoked to get the call-up from Lleyton. It’s been a long time since I’ve played Davis Cup,” 25-year-old Kokkinakis said.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling putting on those colours and playing for Australia. That atmosphere is unmatched. It’s a great reward for the summer I’ve had, for me and my team, and all the hard work I’ve put in.”
Saville, 28, will make his debut for Australia in the Davis Cup, becoming the 113th Davis Cup player for the nation.
“Playing Davis Cup for Australia, to don the green and gold, has always been a childhood dream of mine,” Saville said.
“To get this opportunity to represent my country on home soil is absolutely incredible.”
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