Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt is hopeful Nick Kyrgios will return to Davis Cup competition, possibly even later this year.
Meeting the media in Australia, Hewitt said it's "disappointing" Kyrgios wasn't available for the nation's Davis Cup Qualifier vs. Hungary at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney this week, but is hopeful the mercurial Aussie, who last played Davis Cup in November 2019, will return to the team eventually.
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“We wanted him back for this match, so it’s disappointing that he wasn’t available for this particular tie,” Hewitt said. "But he’s in the top five players in our team. I get along extremely well with Nick and we have plenty of open discussions and he loves playing, but he’s got a lot of other things going on at the same time as well.
“Hopefully, he gets the opportunity to be back in the team because he really enjoys being around the boys and I actually think it helps his tennis and his enjoyment of the sport as well."
Kyrgios, who partnered buddy Thanasi Kokkinakis to capture the Australian Open doubles title in January, has been open discussing his battles with mental health, depression and alcohol on social media.
Hewitt, who has worked with Kyrgios as a coaching consultant in the past, said he understands life on the pro circuit away from home can be emotionally depleting.
“I’ve spoken to him throughout time and consistently every few weeks. Normally, we’re talking anyway,” Hewitt said. “I understand the tough times that he’s been through in the past and it’s hard when you’re always out and the center of attention.
“People assume all the time that everything’s rosy out there. It’s probably not for most people at some stages, but that’s why you have to have good people around you to pick you up and keep you on the right track."
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