Kyrgios returns to fold for Cup

AUSTRALIAN captain Lleyton Hewitt is prepared to overlook the most recent spate of bad behaviour by Nick Kyrgios, saying the firebrand has earned his recall for the revamped Davis Cup finals.

Kyrgios is serving a sixmonth probation period for his spectacular meltdown in Cincinnati in August and subsequently branding the ATP corrupt at the US Open.

But his suspended sentence only applies to the ATP Tour and not Davis Cup. Hewitt said the 24-year-old Kyrgios had done enough to work his way back into the team for the November tournament after he was overlooked for the qualification tie when he failed to meet new performance and behavioural standards.

“I have been watching that closely,” Hewitt said of Kyrgios, adding the suspended ban hadn’t affected his decision.

“I feel like on the Davis Cup court he’s done absolutely everything I’ve needed in the past; he hasn’t put a foot wrong.

“There’s a lot of things he does in a team environment that I actually think we will see the best of him.”

Hewitt said the world No.30 made contact with him in March to talk about how he could get back in Australian colours.

“We sat down in Indian Wells and went through things and he’s been so willing to do whatever it takes to get back into the Davis Cup team,” Hewitt said.

The two-time grand slam champion said Kyrgios had sacrificed his personal career to ensure he would be fit for the new-look 18-team finals, which will be held in Madrid from November 18-24.

Hewitt said Kyrgios had pulled out of recent tournaments to rest his shoulder.

“He comes in a little bit underdone but I’m fortunate he’s a guy who can light it up when he needs to,” Hewitt said.

Kyrgios joins a formidable Australian line-up led by world No.28 Alex de Minaur. Jordan Thompson, John Millman and doubles specialist John Peers make up the five-man team,

Australia have been pitted in Group D along with Belgium and Colombia. If they can the section they will qualify for the quarter-finals.