Davis Cup Australia vs USA: Nick Kyrgios’ illness could open door for Lleyton Hewitt comeback

Lleyton Hewitt could come out of retirement to help Australia’s Davis Cup team for the first round tie against the United States in the wake of Nick Kyrgios’ possible unavailability due to an illness picked up in Dubai last week.

Australian coach Jason Stoltenberg admitted that the virus Kyrgios got at the Dubai Tennis Championships last week is still an issue for the 20-year-old Canberran, which opens up a door for Hewitt to return in singles competition at the Davis Cup on Mar. 4-6 against USA.

The Australian team has until 9 a.m. (AEDT) tomorrow to finalise their lineup before the official draw begins. But if Kyrgios’ fails to recover from what The Herald Sun claims as a severely affected virus that left the Aussie teen with “swelling, lethargy and painful mouth ulcers,” Hewitt, who retired from singles matches at the Australian Open last month, may take the opportunity to fill the void.

However, while Stoltenberg has acknowledged Hewitt’s performance during practice sessions, the 45-year-old coach said he does not expect the former world No. 1 to play at the Davis Cup first tie, although it would depend on the team’s situation.

“Look, he’s a great team man and he’ll do whatever he needs to do — whether that’s playing or sitting on the side,” Stoltenberg said. “We don’t expect he’ll play but we’ll have to wait and see the next couple of days.”

Meanwhile, Sam Groth, the other nominal option for singles competition, said he is ready to play for Australia should he gets the call from the team. Groth, who has been practicing with Hewitt, said he is in the condition to play all three days of tennis action if given the opportunity.

“Obviously I’m doing a lot of my doubles stuff, but if one of those boys is not ready for any reason for Friday or Sunday, I’ve put myself in a position where I can play singles, and especially on a grass court, in a Davis Cup environment that I’ve done well in before,” Groth said, reports The Australian. “I’m definitely ready and if that chance comes for me then I’m definitely excited about it as well.’’