In a shock decision, two-time grand slam champion and captain of the Australian Davis Cup team Lleyton Hewitt could come out of retirement to replace an ill and injured Nick Kyrgios in this weekend’s Davis Cup tie.
If he does end up on court he will be the only playing captain in memory. Regardless of Kyrgios’ successful short workout yesterday, a team of medics decided this morning he is in no condition to play two five-set matches.
Although the obvious choice for both matches is Sam Groth, his participation in the doubles in Saturday leaves him liable for wear and tear. As such, Lleyton could potentially play either doubles or in the reverse singles on Sunday against 23-year-old US young gun Jack Sock.
A meeting between those two will be welcomed by Aussie fans, after Sock endeared himself to the Australian public by encouraging Hewitt to challenge an incorrect line call at the Hopman Cup in January.
However, the absence of Kyrgios’ colossal serve and power-play game has tipped the tie heavily in favour of the US. John Isner, who stands at 2.08 metres tall, is an extremely tough competitor and will match Sam Groth’s serve easily. Sock has a powerful forehand and deadly precision, a challenging combination for any opponent.
As for the doubles; former world No. 1 pair the Bryan Brothers are arguably one of the best men’s doubles teams in the history of the sport. Although Groth and John Peers have some serious doubles skill, the US is still tipped to win.
Regardless, it would be foolish to dismiss Australia’s chances just yet. Because of Kyrgios’ prolonged illness, having picked up the virus last week in Dubai, Lleyton Hewitt has been hitting hard in practice in anticipation of a possible replacement.
To say he is extraordinarily experienced is an understatement, and his historic success on grass cannot be overlooked. In addition, Hewitt’s determination to win, and uncanny ability to get every ball back over the net – even if it involves a combat roll to do so – is unrivalled by any player past or present.
Yes, Nick Kyrgios is a prodigy. Since the Australian Open, where he was defeated in the fourth round by Czech player and world No.7 Tomas Berdych, he has beaten Berdych two weeks in a row. His performance against Berdych in Dubai was nothing short of miraculous, prompting commentators so speculate he was the “most feared” young gun by the top players on the ATP tour.
However, as the world has witnessed, Kyrgios lacks the consistency or mental discipline to play like a demon for any length of time. Plagued by youthful audacity and a tendency to lose his head at the most inappropriate of moments, he has lost matches he should have won time and time again; defeated by his head, rather than his opponent.
This was evident in the Davis Cup quarter-finals last year in Darwin, where he lost his opening match to Kazakhstan player Aleksandr Nedovyesov, who was outside the world’s top 100 at the time, leaving Australia 2-0 down.
Who was it who replaced him, and won the fifth rubber in a historic triumph for Australia? Lleyton Hewitt.
Of course, Sock is on a different level to the Kazakhstan team, but at 23, he lacks the tenacity that comes with sheer experience. Hewitt is fit, enthusiastic, and passionate. He will use every weapon he has against the heavy-hitting Sock.
Sam Groth is a power player with a booming serve and powerful ground strokes, and what he lacks in size against Isner, he makes up for with movement.
Losing Nick Kyrgios is a blow, but Australians shouldn’t throw up their hands in despair. The home crowd support will be raucous, and spur the team to new heights.
There is every chance the Aussies can take the win, not just with skill, but with experience, discipline, and heart.
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