IN GOOD NICK

Hewitt says self-imposed break helped Kyrgios

LLEYTON Hewitt believes Nick Kyrgios’ self-imposed break from tennis last year during the COVID-19 pandemic could prove a blessing in disguise.

Kyrgios chose not to travel overseas and revealed on Saturday he didn’t hit a ball for five months at one stage – but he didn’t miss it.

However, Hewitt, who is serving as Australia’s ATP Cup captain, told reporters it was important for Kyrgios to get some matches in at this week’s Murray River Open to bolster his Australian Open chances.

“I think, as a whole, him having a bit of a break away from the sport — where he’s positioned, for his body and mind — is a good thing,” Hewitt said.

“Because he hasn’t played a match for so long, though, it’s not going to be easy for him just to come out and switch it on, either.

“It’s important for him to get some of those nerves out of the way this week, so come the Australian Open in a bit over a week’s time, he’s ready to go.

“Trying to just switch it on for five-set tennis, when you haven’t played for nearly a year, isn’t going to be easy. (But) he’s hitting the ball well enough to push deep in the Australian Open, for sure.”

Hewitt’s Australian squad for the country-based event is Alex de Minaur, John Millman, John Peers and Luke Saville, with Spain and Greece awaiting them on Tuesday and Wednesday night, respectively. De Minaur, who will face Rafael Nadal and Stefanos

Tsitsipas as Australia’s No.1 player, has joined the team since emerging from quarantine, after starting the season by winning the Antalya title.

“One of the biggest things we’ve all learned with this (coronavirus) situation is it’s all about adapting,” de Minaur said. “We’ve all had different kind of preparations for this tournament, but I’m sure that come that first ball, we’re all going to be raring to go and ready to ... represent our country.”

Millman said he expected this year to be one of the most challenging ever for Australian tennis players, who face the prospect of being overseas for the rest of the season.

Hewitt echoed those sentiments, saying wasting a fortnight in quarantine for the chance to have a brief break in Australia wasn’t ideal.