Nick Kyrgios’ communication points are irritating staff captain Lleyton Hewitt as an under-strength Australian staff made an underwhelming begin to the United Cup.
Citing an ankle harm, Kyrgios pulled out of the brand new mixed-gender staff match on the day earlier than it started, thrusting Alex de Minaur into the top-seeded match-ups and opening up a chance for Jason Kubler.
The world No. 22’s scratching got here after three years of sitting out of the Davis Cup and likewise lacking probabilities to signify Australia on the 2021 ATP Cup and Tokyo Olympics.
The impression of Kyrgios’ newest withdrawal was laid naked on Thursday evening, when de Minaur, who had been getting ready to face right-handed Dan Evans, was defeated by left-handed world No. 14 Cameron Norrie in straight units.
Following criticism, Kyrgios instructed The Sydney Morning Herald he wanted to prioritise his preparations for subsequent month’s Australian Open.
But after de Minaur’s straight-sets loss to Norrie, Hewitt mentioned it was the way in which Kyrgios went about his scratching that was most troublesome to swallow.
Despite being captain, Hewitt solely discovered of Kyrgios’ withdrawal concurrently the remainder of the staff: ten minutes earlier than Australia confronted the press on Wednesday.
When he tried to contact Kyrgios thereafter, Hewitt didn’t instantly obtain a response.
“For the whole team, it was pretty tough not knowing what was going on the last 24 hours,” Hewitt mentioned.
“It was more probably the lack of communication.
“If it was simply worrying Nick, that is one factor, however when it revolves across the staff and different individuals and I suppose their preparation … they wish to be taking part in in addition to they cannot simply on this occasion but additionally main into the Australian Open.
“That’s probably the hardest thing.”
De Minaur refused in charge the last-minute reshuffle for his loss to Norrie, whom he defeated within the pair’s solely earlier assembly in April.
“Ultimately, I’m ready to play anyone,” he mentioned.
“I’ve got to be better. That’s the reality.”
But Hewitt defended de Minaur, saying it was a tricky ask to reconfigure plans on the fly.
“I’m so proud of this bloke and the effort and how he makes playing for his country a priority,” he mentioned.
“To have (the change) thrown on him yesterday wasn’t easy.
“He’s bought to play two lefties now, the place he was planning on taking part in two righties.
“It is totally totally different.
“But he isn’t going to make excuses, that is for positive.”
Zoe Hives misplaced 6-4 6-3 to Britain’s Katie Swan, that means the locals should win their blended doubles conflict and two singles matches on Friday to assert victory within the tie with Great Britain.
