Stockholm, Sweden – Nick Kyrgios is set for a surprise return to the Australian Davis Cup team after a four-year absence, joining the squad for their qualifying tie against Sweden on January 31st and February 1st.
Captain Lleyton Hewitt’s decision to include the 2022 Wimbledon finalist raises eyebrows given Kyrgios’s past reluctance to participate, citing scheduling conflicts and feeling undervalued in Australia.
The selection also comes amid concerns about Kyrgios’s fitness following recent wrist and knee surgeries. His return to singles action in Brisbane saw a close three-set defeat, and he openly expressed concerns about his wrist’s ability to withstand the rigors of the upcoming Australian Open. However, Kyrgios’s doubles prowess, highlighted by his Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis (also in the Davis Cup squad), could prove invaluable. The pair recently teamed up in Brisbane, offering a glimpse of their potential impact.
Kyrgios’s inclusion adds another layer of intrigue following recent controversial comments about Hewitt’s son, Cruz, which he later dismissed as a joke. The Australian team, rounded out by Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson, is heavily favored against a Swedish team whose highest-ranked singles player, Elias Ymer, sits at 327th in the world rankings. Adding a touch of nostalgia to the tie, the Swedish team also features Leo Borg, son of tennis icon Bjorn Borg.
Captain Hewitt retains the option to add a fifth player to the team, leaving room for further tactical maneuvering. With Kyrgios’s unpredictable talent and the weight of expectation, Australia’s Davis Cup campaign promises to be a captivating spectacle.
