Nick Kyrgios news: Aussie snubbed by Davis Cup captain

Davis Cup
Nick Kyrgios puts on a show

Winning the doubles final at the Australian Open wasn’t enough for volatile character Nick Kyrgios to earn a place in the Aussie’s Davis Cup team – but it was for his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis as he was named as part of team captain Lleyton Hewitt’s squad.

Hewitt’s Australia play Hungary in their qualifying cup clash on March 4 and 5 and he is confident he’s picked out a strong enough squad without the need for the outspoken 26-year-old.

The players hoping to overcome Hungary, who are being led by former world No 31 Marton Fucsovics, next month are Kokkinakis, debutant Luke Saville, Australian No 1 Alex de Minaur, 2017 Australian Open doubles winner John Peers and world No 65 Alexei Popyrin.

“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 explained.

“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 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.”

World No 101 Thanasi Kokkinakis hasn’t played in the Davis Cup since 2015, with his first call-up only being the year previous, and has battled injury ever since, only returning to the sport in 2021, but he has already won his first ever Grand Slam title.

“I’m obviously stoked to get the call-up from Lleyton, it’s been a long time since I’ve played Davis Cup,” the 25-year-old told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“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.”

Australia will play Hungary in the Davis Cup qualifying round on March 4 and 5.

Lleyton Hewitt Nick Kyrgios Thanasi Kokkinakis

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