Australia Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt is confident Nick Kyrgios will be fit for his side’s opening match of the 2016 season against the United States on Friday.
The 20-year-old was forced to retire during the semi-finals of last week’s Dubai Tennis Championships due to a virus as well as niggling back and hip injuries.
The youngster, who was victorious at the Open 13 in Marseille last month, is expected to shake off the problems ahead of the Davis Cup opener against the US although Hewitt confirmed he is currently keeping Kyrgios away from the rest of the squad due to his recent illness.
Hewitt said: “He’s just had a bit of a virus, so at the moment he’s just taking it easy and just trying to get over that 100 per cent and then he’ll be right to go.
“Obviously I didn’t want him around the other boys right at the moment if he’s a bit infectious as well. It’s kind of precautionary more than anything, he’ll be ready to go.”
Kyrgios is expected to be joined by Bernard Tomic in Australia’s singles line-up for Friday’s match and Hewitt is confident the duo can help inspire his side to victory at the Kooyong Stadium.
He added: “He (Kyrgios) has played a lot of matches. He and Bernie, they’re confident coming in with their ball-striking, and it’s about these guys just doing the small things to feel comfortable on the grass court. But come match day I’m backing both of those boys.”
Australia reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup during 2015 before being beaten by eventual champions Great Britain and they are available at 9.00 to go all the way and secure glory this season.
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