Nick Kyrgios wants a Davis Cup title for Australia, and says the campaign will give him energy in 2018
A deep run at the Australian Open beckons, but it is Davis Cup success that will motivate Nick Kyrgios most this year.
Casting aside any concerns over injury following his Brisbane International crown, Kyrgios reaffirmed his commitment to Australia’s campaign opener on the same court in less than a month.
Sunday was a charmed one for Davis Cup team members in Brisbane, with Kyrgios claiming his first ATP title on home soil and Australian doubles mainstay John Peers adding another title to his growing tally.
Expectations are now high ahead of the Australian Open later this month, but Kyrgios’ mind is already wandering beyond that to the first-round tie against Germany from February 2-4.
If fit, the champion pair will form the core of captain Lleyton Hewitt’s team while the likes of John Millman, Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Matt Ebden and even 18-year-old Brisbane International semi-finalist Alex de Minaur pushing to be part of the squad.
Often guilty of struggling for motivation during the season, the 22-year-old said Davis Cup ties would act as a source of energy this year.
“It’s huge for me; I love the team environment and it’s so easy for me to play for other people,” Kyrgios said.
“I’ve obviously got one eye on it … and right now is the perfect time for us to win it. We’ve got a lot of depth and everyone loves playing Davis Cup.
“Every time I seem to have a Davis Cup week, my spirits just get lifted and I want to practise more and I want to do everything.”
Australia has not won a Davis Cup since 2003, although came close last year in a 3-2 semi-final loss to the David Goffin-led Belgium on clay.
Like Kyrgios, Peers says a Davis Cup breakthrough is not out of question.
“With the team and squad of guys we’ve got at the moment, I think we have a great chance,” he said.
“It would be something great [to win one].”
Kyrgios will parade the Brisbane International trophy in Brisbane on Monday before heading to Sydney to play in the Fast4 exhibition tournament alongside Hewitt.
He played down any concerns regarding his strapped left knee on Sunday night, saying he was confident his body was ready for the grind of best-of-five set grand slam tennis in Melbourne.
AAP