Rising star Nick Kyrgios and veteran Lleyton Hewitt will lead the Australian Fast4 tennis team in Sydney, along with Pat Cash. They are to take on the world team consisting of Rafael Nadal, Gael Monfils, and icon John McEnroe. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm (AEDT).
Fresh off his Hopman Cup victory, Kyrgios appears ready for a big 2016 on the court, after a year of controversy and behavioural issues.
The 20-year-old Canberra sensation already has a win over Nadal, and is no stranger to the big stage after upsetting Andy Murray this year.
Hewitt comes in off three tough Hopman Cup matches, and despite tonight’s exhibition theme, expect the usual die-hard play from one of Australian tennis’ greatest champions.
Cash is the elder statesman of team Australia, with the 1987 Wimbledon champion sure to provide the crowd with some classic serve-and-volley tennis, something starved of the men’s game in recent years.
Spearheading the world team is a man who needs no introduction. Nadal had a finals showing in Doha last week, and will be riding a wave of new-found confidence after a slamless 2015, the 14-time grand slam champion’s first in over a decade.
He will be accompanied by mercurial Frenchman Monfils – a regular on highlight reels and one of the most entertaining players of recent memory. Explosive, unpredictable and talented beyond comprehension, expect the unexpected from the world number 20 in this exhibition format.
Tennis superbrat McEnroe will round out the world team, and he too will bring a touch of nostalgia to crowd members old enough to remember his classic Wimbledon volleys (and tantrums).
Prediction
It’s hard to put any kind of confident vote down with this new format. Points are at a premium, but luck favours the brave and Kyrgios is fearless.
I pick team Australia to be too strong for this motley world team.
Will the old guns keep up with young blood? Join The Roar live from 6pm (AEDT), or drop your comments and questions below.
Michael Flanagan
Guest
Well I just turned onto Fast 4 and honestly I thought It was at tenth rate circus gig. For what it is worth: 1. If you let producers get involved you get a reality show. Nothing more nothing less. If one likes reality shows fine. BUT not the fine game of Tennis. 2. It is a disgrace to tennis/ the game. 3. It is a disgrace to my intelligence. 4. It is a disgrace that players have to perform like circus dogs. Sorry dogs but this is a really cheap show and I am not talking $. Pat Cash does know what an idiot he is making of himself. Maybe he needs the money 5. Could you imagine what BBL/T20 would be like if their players acted like drongos. Would Cricket Australia defame their game as Tennis Australia has defamed Tennis. 6. What a pity Tennis Austrslia let Ch 7 bugger up a great great opportunity, a really tremendous idea. I am sure this was not Hewett's original idea. 7. Do not forget to tell the advertisers that It is whacko turnoff and I am talking about the remote. 8. CONCLUSION: I am sure while you may not enjoy my negative/positive comments you I hope Tennis Australia will take heed and change the whole culture, the whole thrust and direction back to a serious attempt of making Fast 4 the high standard of Tennis entertainment we have had the pleasure of watching over the last week in Brisbane and Perth. Fast 4 and Trad Tennis does not need this disgraceful demeaning attack on its well hard earned high standards. Michael I Flanagan. 11/012016.
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An ace from nadal seals the win for the world in what has been a very entertaining match! My MVP award goes to hewitt, showed class and fight all the way through!
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great serving gives world a match point - hewitt's got them right where he wants them
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World break after a net exchange is lost by kyrgios to give World a 4/3 3/2 lead serving for the tie.
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kyrgios bricks a volley long to give world a chance to break here, POWERPLAY! AUSSIES Call for it here to try and get out of big trouble.
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Kyrgios is rubbing off on hewitt, as he goes for a between the legs volley
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Hewitt guides a volley down the line to open a chance for a break.
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Hewitt and Kyrgios hang on in their service game to hold and lead 2-1 in the second.
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cute volleys from nick but rafa showing he still has the wheels
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swinging wide serve from rafa levels it at 1-1 in the second.
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rafa whips a forehand up the line for 2-0 lead in the game.
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He holds to give AUS a 1-0 lead in the second
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Kyrgios shanks a drop volley off a monfils rocket forehand, lucky but still alive!
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Big second serve gives world the first set 4-3
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4-4 after a monfils miss- world to serve as they served fastest in the breaker at 219km/h from monfils. Kyrgios to return
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great hands from the aussies at net save one set point. one more to save
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2-2 world to serve after a classic rafa forehand winner up the line .
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massive return from hewitt levels the tiebreaker 1-1
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incredible rally full of volleys and forehands gives the world a break - 3-3 tiebreaker!
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a rapid fire exchange gives world the first point, and the second after a failed tweener from Kyrgios