Nick Kyrgios nominated to play Davis Cup tie at end of January

Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur says he’s “excited” Nick Kyrgios could make a sensational return to Australia’s Davis Cup team for the first time in more than five years after being one of four players nominated by captain Lleyton Hewitt for a qualifying tie against Sweden.

Kyrgios, who made his return to playing at the Brisbane International last month after a long injury lay-off, was included alongside de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis for the clash beginning after the Australian Open on January 31 in Stockholm.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist played the last of his 11 Davis Cup ties against Belgium in November 2019 and has shown little interest since while also enduring a slate of injuries that have limited his time on court.

But Kyrgios was practising with Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of team captain Lleyton, in Melbourne this week, with the teenager looking to qualify for the main draw at Melbourne Park, in a positive sign for a potential Davis Cup return.

“I’m excited, I’m completely fine with having Nick in the team. It’s going to be great,” de Minaur said of his potential new teammate, knowing Kyrgios is still battling issues with his wrist after his comeback.

“Hopefully he stays healthy, hopefully the wrist is all good.

“Obviously Nick, at the height of his game, is extremely dangerous any time he steps on the court, whether it’s singles, doubles, mixed, or whatever.

“He has so much talent and of course it’s great to have him on the team.”

Hewitt is allowed to nominate five players, leaving the door ajar for another name that could be impacted by Kyrgios’ capacity to get through his Australian Open return.

Kyrgios said after his first singles match in 18 months last week in Brisbane, losing in three sets, that he still wasn’t sure if he’d be fit enough to get through the opening grand slam due to his wrist issues having had reconstructive surgery in 2023.

“I think I almost need a miracle, and I need, like, the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a grand slam for sure,” Kyrgios said.

“I’ve got six holes in my hand and one in my arm (from surgery); not one tennis player has ever had this surgery and come back and tried to play again.

“It’s all really an experimental (process) … no real protocol of how it’s going to be or how it’s going to pull up.

“It’s very sore at the moment.”

Kyrgios could, however, play doubles with Kokkinakis, having won the Australian Open title with his great mate in 2022.

The Australians will play the tie at the Royal Tennis Hall in the Swedish capital having made the semi-finals of last year’s tournament.