Lleyton Hewitt paid the ultimate tribute as Australia win thrilling Davis Cup quarter-final

Kevin Palmer
Lleyton Hewitt is an inspirational Davis Cup captain
Lleyton Hewitt is an inspirational Davis Cup captain

Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt was paid the ultimate tribute after his side’s thrilling Davis Cup quarter-final wins against Czechia.

The Aussies fought back from the brink to defeat to book a semi-final berth against giant-killers Finland, much to the delight of a bumper crowd in Malaga.

Former world No 1 Hewett was a passionate performer on the court and now he is proving to be an inspirational figure in his new role.

That has been confirmed by the words of Max Purcell, who team-up with partner Matthew Eden to win the crucial doubles match to seal the win against a defeated Czechia team.

“There’s five guys playing on the team, but he’s asked, like you see on the bench, we have another five guys backing up and cheering for us. That’s down to the captain,” said Purcell.

“Everyone has each other’s backs. Those guys have played last year, this year, I’m sure they will play again in future.

“We all know that we’re all part of a big team and a really strong team with a lot of depth. That gives us confidence, and yeah, like you said, it’s just a group where everyone kind of gels. It’s pretty rare.

“I have been part of Davis Cup since Lleyton was playing, and there was always a few strange dynamics here and there with certain people here and there, but we’ve got, like, 10 guys and incredible support staff that gels amazing.

“I think that’s pretty rare and pretty special. I think we’re all sort of feasting off that energy.”

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic sounds a Davis Cup rallying cry for Serbia as he outlines his next dream

Australia, beaten finalists 12 months ago, were staring at the exit door when Tomas Machac beat Jordan Thompson and Jiri Lehecka moved a set and a break up on Alex De Minaur.

But Lehecka was unable to serve out the victory despite coming within two points of it and De Minaur recovered to claim a 4-6 7-6 (2) 7-5 triumph.

That set up a deciding doubles clash, and Matt Ebden and Max Purcell saw off Lehecka and Adam Pavlasek 6-4 7-5 to book a last-four clash against surprise package Finland on Friday.

Captain Hewitt said: “It was a hell of a match, really. It was hard to find answers out there for most of the match. Alex gave himself some opportunities to break at times and wasn’t quite able to.

“Lehecka played fantastic. Conditions, court all suited him. It was perfect for his game style. To his credit, he went out there and executed. He was very close to pulling off a win against Alex, but Alex just found a way.

“He came out and saved us and gave us an opportunity for the doubles boys to finish it off.

“That was impressive in itself, to come out after riding the ups and downs of both singles matches, and then to be able to just switch it on like they did and put in that kind of impressive performance was awesome.”

Hewett went on to address what the Davis Cup meant to him both as a player and now a captain.

“A lot of people went out of their way to help me play Davis Cup and represent Australia, and I think I owe Australian tennis for me to go out there and give my all to try and help these boys hold up the Cup one day,” he added.

“That’s what drives me. I’m a competitor. But there is no better feeling in tennis, you know, the feeling that I got as a player representing Australia, and getting the wins that I did in the big Davis Cup matches.

“I want these boys to get that same feeling (smiling). Yeah, that’s what drives me. Yeah, I love it. I love seeing the boys going out there and competing and fighting their ass off for their country. Gives me goosebumps, it honestly does.

“Playing, captain, whatever it is, and as Matty said, we’ve got a lot of players on the support staff.

“I turn around with a lot of pride when I see those players that aren’t playing and they’re supporting their heart out there for these boys. It means a lot and it means we’ve got the right team culture.”

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