- Firebrand returns from wrist and knee surgeries
- He made headlines with comments about Cruz Hewitt
Nick Kyrgios is on track to make a sensational return to the Australian Davis Cup team for the first time in more than five years.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, who has been taking the first tentative steps on the road to return after long-term injuries, is a surprise selection by captain Lleyton Hewitt for the qualifying play-off in Sweden, in Stockholm, on January 31 and on February 1st.
In the team nominations revealed on Monday, the 29-year-old’s name in Australia’s four-man team raised eyebrows as he has shown no interest in the men’s ‘Tennis World Cup’ since last playing against Belgium in November 2019.
Hewitt’s move also comes after Kyrgios sparked outrage when he appeared to attack the tennis great’s son, Cruz, after he posted a photo of himself with Jannik Sinner.
Kyrgios has been an outspoken critic of the way tennis handles doping violations, and the Italian world number one avoided suspension last year despite failing two doping tests.
Kyrgios later said that he is good friends with Cruz and that his comments were a joke.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured) has been chosen to play for Australia in the Davis Cup in a very surprising selection by team captain Lleyton Hewitt.
Hewitt (pictured in Melbourne this week ahead of the Australian Open) made the decision despite Kyrgios making headlines for what many fans interpreted as an attack on his son Cruz.
Cruz Hewitt is pictured during his training session in Melbourne with Jannik Sinner. A photo he posted of himself with the world number one left Kyrgios unimpressed.
Having shown no inclination to return in the green and gold, Kyrgios explained in a 2022 interview that the negativity towards him and the feeling of not being accepted by Australia made him prefer to play in a lucrative exhibition event in Saudi Arabia instead. to represent his country. country.
But Kyrgios, who played in 11 qualifiers between 2013 and 2019, is evidently back, named alongside regulars Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis, stalwarts who helped Australia reach the Cup finals in 2022 and 2023. as well as the last one. November semi-final in Malaga.
With five nominations allowed, there is still time for Hewitt to add another name to his team and much will no doubt depend on how the players emerge from the rigors of the Australian Open.
Kyrgios said after his first singles in 18 months last week in Brisbane that he was still not sure he was fit enough to compete at the Melbourne Slam as his wrist, which had required reconstructive surgery in 2023, had become pulsating while trying to handle the huge serves of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
It had been an encouraging performance from Kyrgios, as he was outclassed in three tie-breaks, but he admitted afterwards: “I think I almost need a miracle, and I need the stars to align for my wrist to largely hold up.” Sure hit.’
Hewitt’s decision to pick tennis’ bad boy (pictured with partner Costeen Hatzi) will test his recovery from knee and wrist injuries as the Davis Cup follows in the footsteps of the Australian Open.
However, Kyrgios could still be a huge asset to Hewitt in doubles as a former Australian Open winner. Last week in Brisbane, he sharpened up by turning his improbable ‘bromance’ with his 2022 Wimbledon final conqueror, Novak Djokovic, into an entertaining doubles partnership in Brisbane.
While Hewitt’s son Cruz, currently in action in qualifying for the Australian Open, hopes to follow in the footsteps of a famous father, so does Leo Borg, son of the great Bjorn Borg, who features on Sweden’s team.
The Australians will begin the tie at the Royal Tennis Hall in the Swedish capital as heavy favorites, led by world number 8, De Minaur, and number 27, Thompson, who is also the number 3 ranked doubles player.
By contrast, the Swedish No. 1 is Elias Ymer, ranked 327, while the 21-year-old Borg will be their No. 2 singles player ranked 543 in the world. Andre Goransson and Filip Bergevi will form their doubles duo.