Nick Kyrgios’ heroics in the doubles at the Australian Open was not enough to earn him selection for Australia’s Davis Cup clash with Hungary.
Team captain Lleyton Hewitt has instead opted for debutant Luke Saville, Thanasi Kokkinakis, world No.12 doubles specialist John Peers, Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur and world No 65 Alexei Popyrin for the March 4-5 tie in Sydney.
Hewitt is confident his team has enough firepower to match the Hungarians, who will be led by world No.39 Marton Fucsovics.
“Thanasi had a fantastic Australian summer,” Hewitt said about his Greek team member.
“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.”
Kokkinakis’ selection comes more than six years after he last represented Australia in the team competition, and follows his Australian Open doubles title win with Kyrgios earlier this year.
“I’m obviously stoked,” Kokkinakis, who also won the men’s title at the Adelaide International this year, said.
“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.”
Kokkinakis is expected to return to the top 100 next week for the first time in six years.
Tickets to the Davis Cup qualifier go on sale on Tuesday from noon via Ticketmaster.com.au/Davis Cup.
