Nick Kyrgios takes big Australian Open step as Alex de Minaur responds to shock Lleyton Hewitt move

Alex de Minaur has responded to Lleyton Hewitt's shock decision to call up Nick Kyrgios to Australia's Davis Cup team, with Kyrgios taking a positive step towards playing the Australian Open on Friday. Kyrgios posted on social media on Wednesday that he'd been forced to withdraw from an exhibition event with Novak Djokovic in Melbourne due to an abdominal strain, throwing his chances of playing the grand slam into huge doubt.

But Kyrgios gave the strongest indication yet that he'll be fit to play the Open on Friday, declaring his abdominal injury "manageable" two days out from the first grand slam of the year. The returning Aussie, who has been drawn to play British World No.86 Jacob Fearnley in the first round, got through a light practice session at Melbourne Park on Friday morning and was scheduled for another in the afternoon.

"I think it's just part of the game, niggles. I don't think anyone really feels 100 per cent," he said. "As long as it's not something like me wrist again, I think I can manage it."

Kyrgios hasn't played a grand slam since the US Open in 2022 and has been plagued by knee and wrist injuries. After making his official return from injury at last week's Brisbane International, where he played singles and partnered former World No.1 Djokovic in the doubles, he revealed his comeback could be cut short.

Nick Kyrgios named to make Davis Cup return

The fresh injury blow also threatens Kyrgios' mooted return to the David Cup fold after he was a surprise inclusion in Hewitt's squad on Tuesday. Kyrgios' inclusion comes after a controversial response to a post from Hewitt's 16-year-old son Cruz, and ends a five-year Davis Cup absence for the 29-year-old former Wimbledon finalist.

Kyrgios and de Minaur have been picked by Australia's coach Hewitt alongside Davis Cup regulars Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jordan Thompson for the qualifying tie against Sweden in Stockholm on January 31 and February 1. The selection of Kyrgios is undoubtedly the biggest shock though after a lengthy absence.

The 29-year-old needed reconstructive surgery on his wrist in 2023 and admitted after losing to big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his comeback at the Brisbane International last week that it was throbbing in pain afterwards. Kyrgios also suggested it would take a 'miracle' for him to compete at Melbourne Park at his highest level.

His selection by Hewitt is also curious after Kyrgios was slammed for his response to a recent post from the Aussie tennis legend's teenage son, Cruz. Kyrgios took exception to the 16-year-old having a hit with World No.1 Jannik Sinner on Rod Laver Arena last week, having been openly critical of the Italian's doping case and the fact he escaped suspension when the ITIA determined Sinner was not to blame for an anabolic steroid entering his system.

Kyrgios commented on the young Hewitt's photo alongside Sinner: “Love ya Cruz but this is wild”, labelling it a “cooked post” from the Australian Open's official account. He also told Cruz: “Thought we were boys”. Kyrgios was slammed for his comments but insisted it was just a joke and Cruz's father Lleyton obviously sees it that way if he picked the 29-year-old for the Davis Cup.

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Alex de Minaur 'excited' by Nick Kyrgios' Davis Cup call-up

Regardless, controversy has a habit of following Kyrgios but de Minaur insists it will not be a distraction for Australia's Davis Cup team after welcoming his compatriot back into the fold. "Everything is personal preference. You make headlines of what you want to make headlines," de Minaur told reporters.

"If you want something to bother you, it's going to bother you. I'm excited, I'm completely fine with having Nick in the team. It's going to be great. For me, nothing changes, I still focus on trying to play some good tennis and hopefully represent Australia proud."

The World No.8 alluded to Kyrgios' injury concerns and admits it's "still not a given" that he'll be up to the rigours of singles tennis, even if the 29-year-old does offer Hewitt's men a new option in doubles. But de Minaur says his teammate's ability is undeniable when he's fit. "Obviously Nick, at the height of his game, is extremely dangerous any time he steps on the court, whether it's singles, doubles, mixed, or whatever," de Minaur added. "He has so much talent and of course it's great to have him on the team."

De Minaur is deep in preparation for the Australian Open, where he's earned an all-important top-eight seeding that means he won't be drawn to play anyone ranked above him until at least the quarter-finals. It means the Aussie No.1 has his best shot at making it past the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the first time but a wary de Minaur knows that "nothing is guaranteed" in a grand slam tournament.

"It is a good feeling going in. Obviously I have to worry about what happens on my side of the court and focus on myself," he said. "It kind-of means you're somewhat protected. If you're looking at the grand scheme of things, you won't play a player ranked higher than you until a certain stage. It is better than the alternative, but at the same time, it means nothing. Nothing is guaranteed. You still have to beat everyone, everyone is extremely dangerous, it's very open out there and anything can happen on any given day."

with AAP