The issue of managing some of Australia’s most controversial players may soon be resolved as Lleyton Hewitt sets out his vision as Davis Cup captain.
Hewitt will retire from tennis at the Australian Open next year before taking on his new position as captain of a lively bunch of young players. Two of the players, Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, has been marred by controversy throughout 2015. These controversies have resulted in both men not be shortlisted for the prestigious Newcombe medal, the highest honour in Australian tennis.
Despite the tricky job ahead of him, Hewitt does have the full respect of his fellow players. Something that other members of Tennis Australia would love to have. Earlier this year Kyrgios enlisted the help of Hewitt as a mentor during the summer as he prepared for the US Open. Prior to Hewitt being confirmed as the new Davis Cup captain, Kyrgios has said that the 34-year-old is one of the people he respected the most.
“I feel we all have a really good friendship. Lleyton’s probably the person I most respect. When he’s going to hopefully one day take over the [Davis Cup] captaincy, I’d probably run through a brick wall for him,” He was quoted as saying in August.
Similar admiration for Hewitt has also been expressed by other players, including Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Speaking about his new role with smh.com.au, the former world No.1 believes that he has the ability to aid his team to perform to the best of their ability throughout the year.
“[Being Davis Cup captain] is something I’ve worked towards, it’s something I’m going to enjoy and while it’ll be new challenges I look forward to it. I think I can help the boys get the best out of themselves, not just in Davis Cup weeks, but throughout the year.” Hewitt said.
Speaking about the Davis Cup Hewitt said that the best way to deal with his group is to have ‘mutual respect’, something that he appears to already have. He also praised Tomic, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis for their ability to play their best at the highest level of the sport.
“In tennis you have to be prepared to go out there and back yourself and those three guys, if anything, they play better on the big stage and big matches than they do sometimes in the smaller tournaments.” Hewitt said about his fellow countryman.
Throughout his career, Hewitt has played 78 Davis Cup matches since 1999, winning 58 of them. His 58 wins are the highest achieved by a player in Australian Davis Cup history. The 34-year-old has played in 41 ties, the most played by an Australian player.
