I’ll win it for Rusty, says Nick

NICK Kyrgios 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 in Brussels, starting on Friday.

But in ranking Davis Cup as his top priority in 2017, the player says he owes it to his captain and former baseline warrior to put his battered body through hell to help Australia prevail.

“Davis Cup for me is one of the most important events that I can play. I would love to win one,” Kyrgios said.

“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 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 love playing for someone other than myself for once.”

But tennis’s most polarising personality says there is no one he loves playing for more than Hewitt.

“Rusty has helped me a lot. I think he’s the best captain we’ve ever had,” Kyrgios said.

“I know that everyone on our team would run through a brick wall for him.

“He’s been an unbelievable support for me.

“Davis Cup has done wonders for me this year. It’s really made me find that love again for just being with the guys and having some fun.”