Nick Kyrgios is in a motivated state of mind ahead of this weekend's Davis Cup quarterfinals.
Empowered by his second straight trip to the Miami Open semifinals where he did not drop serve dropping a triple tie break thriller to Roger Federer, the sometime combustible Kyrgios says he's in peak mental form.
Watch: Kyrgios Answers Fans
"I'm feeling motivated and I want to get out there more," Kyrgios told the media in Brisbane. "I want to compete and I want to play. I'm probably in the best place I've ever been in."
The Australian No. 1 will try to lead the host to its second Davis Cup semifinal in the last three years. Australia hosts the United States on hard court at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
It's the second straight meeting for the two traditional Davis Cup powers, following the Americans' 3-1 conquest on the grass courts of Kooyong in the 2016 opening round.
Kyrgios missed that tie and was castigated by teammate Bernard Tomic, who accused Kyrgios of faking illness to avoid playing.
This year, Tomic is in a free-fall suffering five straight losses and is not on the Australian squad.
Kyrgios and 79th-ranked Jordan Thompson, who led Australia to an opening-round victory over the Czech Republic, are the expected singles starters with Sam Groth and John Peers slated to play doubles.
Team USA counters with Jack Sock, Kyrgios' friend and sometime doubles partner, John Isner, Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson, providing captain Jim Courier with plenty of singles and doubles combinations.
"I think the last Davis Cup tie helped me a lot," Kyrgios said. "Ever since then I've been in a good mental space.
"I prefer the team environment, I love being around these guys, I love training with them and I love being on the sidelines watching them compete. I've been wanting to play and they've all been supporting me. It's good to know these guys have my back and I think it's just the chemistry."
The 15th-seeded Sock, who already has two titles to his credit this season, could face off against Kyrgios for the first time as the USA plays for its first Davis Cup semifinal in five years.
"I feel like I'm playing well, and I've got a really good opportunity now to battle against the US," said Kyrgios.
The winner of the Australia vs. USA quarterfinal will play either Italy or 2015 finalist Belgium in the September 15-17th Davis Cup semifinals.
Photo credit: Tennis Australia