Lleyton Hewitt is in line for a shock return to tennis as playing captain of the Australian Davis Cup team after replacing an ailing Nick Kyrgios against the United States.
Former world No.1 Hewitt, who retired after the Australian Open in January, took over the Australian captaincy at the start of 2016 and is in charge for the first time in the World Group first-round tie at Kooyong starting on Friday.
Kyrgios has been struck down by a virus while also struggling with a back injury which forced him to withdraw from his semi-final in Dubai last week.
The nomination change was officially announced by the Davis Cup twitter account, confirming Hewitt had replaced Kyrgios as a playing captain.
Hewitt could yet play in the doubles, allowing Sam Groth to take over Kyrgios’ role in singles, although John Peers has still been listed to play alongside Groth.
The #AUSUSA #DavisCup draw for our 1R tie of 2016 #GoAussies pic.twitter.com/lIRb2i5KMv
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 2, 2016
The 35-year-old Hewitt is Australia’s most successful Davis Cup player of all time, having won 58 of the 78 singles and doubles matches he has competed in since his 1999 debut.
Breaking: Hewitt to come out of retirement for @DavisCup tie https://t.co/hgleF8jkCs #AUSUSA pic.twitter.com/O1XIUIYG2X
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 2, 2016
He also helped guide Australia to Davis Cup titles in 1999 and 2003, and made his last appearance for Australia in their World Group semi-final loss to Great Britain last year.
Your #DavisCup team for the #AUSUSA tie ? #GoAussies ??? pic.twitter.com/V81BbFjLmN
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) March 2, 2016
Meanwhile the USA team remains unchanged with John Isner, Jack Sock and Bob and Mike Bryan to challenge Australia.
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