Kyrgios on Cup mission
NICK Kyrgios has revealed his plans to “run through a brick wall” for Lleyton Hewitt to ensure Australia reaches its first Davis Cup final in 14 years.
Kyrgios has been under a fitness cloud since hurting his shoulder in a first-round US Open loss to countryman John Millman, with Hewitt giving his spearhead time off serving in the lead-up to Australia’s semi-final against Belgium this week.
But in ranking Davis Cup as his top priority in 2017, Kyrgios says he owes it to his captain and former baseline warrior to put his battered body through hell to help Australia prevail in Brussels.
“Davis Cup for me is one of the most important events that I can play. I would love to win one,” Kyrgios said ahead of to- morrow’s draw for the indoor claycourt tie starting on Friday. “I’m just a massive fan of team sports and that’s probably the closest thing we’ve got in tennis.
“I love getting out there with a team and getting behind everyone that I’m close with and trying to get the win for the country obviously.
“But just that whole week, building that chemistry with a team. I literally love playing for someone other than myself for once.”
But tennis’ most polarising personality says there’s no one he loves playing for more than Hewitt.
“Rusty has helped me a lot. He’s the best captain we’ve ever had. I know that everyone on our team would run through a brick wall for him.”
Overlooked for the 2015 semi-final against Great Britain, Kyrgios believes Australia has its best chance in years to win the trophy for the first time since Hewitt teamed with Mark Philippoussis, Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs to topple Spain in 2003.
“Our team’s feeling good,” the world No. 20 said.