Aussie carnage as Nick Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson tipped to be replaced in Davis Cup squad
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Australia's injury-plagued Davis Cup squad has reportedly undergone an overhaul with captain Lleyton Hewitt facing some tough decisions ahead of the nation's qualifier against Sweden.
At the beginning of January, Hewitt named his squad that would travel to Stockholm. This included Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Nick Kyrgios.
However, after three of the four players selected had their Australian Open campaigns hampered by injury, Hewitt has had to go back to the drawing board according to a report from The First Serve.
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Nick Kyrgios reacts to an abdominal injury during his first-round match against Jacob Fearnley at the Australian Open. Getty
After lower-leg and foot issues plagued Thompson's run at Melbourne Park, countryman Aleksandar Vukic has been called up to potentially play singles alongside de Minaur.
Additionally, doubles specialists Matthew Ebden and John Peers have come into the squad as coverage for Kyrgios who has been plagued by knee and wrist injuries.
Kyrgios was expected to make his first appearance at the Davis Cup since 2019 but suffered an abdominal injury in the lead-up to the Australian Open which, coupled with a wrist ailment, saw him struggle in Melbourne.
Similarly, Kokkinakis entered the slam under an injury cloud after withdrawing from the Adelaide International.
Battling Jack Draper in a five-set thriller in the second round of the Open, Kokkinakis received treatment on his right pectoral throughout the match.
Speaking post-match, Kokkinakis suspected that he would be sidelined for a significant period with shoulder surgery on the cards.
Watch Australia's Davis Cup tie against Sweden live & free on 9Gem & 9Now.
"I just tried to tough it out. I was touch-and-go again to play this week. I took a million painkillers to try and get through," he said.
"I knew after [the match] I had some serious decisions to make, and I'm going to miss some time. I just tried to kind of empty the tank today, and for this week, and see what I can do.
"I know I'm going to be out for a while, I think."
As nations can select five players for their squad, Kokkinakis has travelled with the team but it is unsure what role he will play if any.
Both Australia and Sweden have up until when the tie's draw is finalised on Thursday to lock in which players will make up its final team and which format they will play.
Jordan Thompson, Cruz Hewitt, Alex de Minaur and Thanasi Kokkinakis cheer on their teammates Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell during the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. Getty Images for ITF
Here's everything you need to know about Australia's upcoming first-round Davis Cup qualifier tie against Sweden.
SCHEDULE
Australia has arrived in Sweden for its first-round Davis Cup qualifier tie on Saturday, 1 February (AEDT).
Across two sessions, members of the Australian team will take on an opposing player/s from Sweden in either doubles or singles format.
TEAMS
Australia
Players: Alex de Minaur, Aleksandar Vukic, Matthew Ebden, John Peers, Thanasi Kokkinakis
Captain: Lleyton Hewitt
Australia's top-ranked male player de Minaur will spearhead a team that has been thrust into uncertainty because of injuries.
Following success at the season's first major, Aleksandar Vukic will make his Davis Cup debut.
Sweden
Players: Leo Borg, Andre Giransson, Filip Bergevi
Captain: Simon Aspelin
Leo Borg, the son of legendary champion Bjorn Borg, will headline the Swedish team.
FORMAT
The Davis Cup qualifiers take place over two rounds.
The first round sees 26 nations compete in a home-or-away tie. The teams include 14 nations that competed in the 2024 Finals alongside 12 World Group I winners from last year.
The winners from the first round, along with a wildcard, then compete in a home-or-away tie later in the year, which forms the second round.
The second-round winners, plus a wildcard, progress to the Davis Cup finals which has its own format.
ORDER OF PLAY
Session one: Two singles matches from 3am (AEDT)
Session two: Two reverse singles matches followed by a doubles match from 11pm (AEDT)
HOW TO WATCH
Australia's Davis Cup qualifier first round will be shown live and free on 9Gem and 9Now.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Italy are the two-time reigning champions after defeating Netherlands 2-0 in last year's Davis Cup final in Malaga, Spain, where they defended their crown from 2023.
2024: Italy
2023: Italy
2022: Canada
2021: Russian Tennis Federation
2020: n/a
2019: Spain
2018: Croatia
2017: France
2016: Argentina
2015: Great Britain
WHERE IS THE DAVIS CUP FINAL IN 2025?
The 2025 Davis Cup final will be held in Bologna, Italy.
WHAT IS THE PRIZE MONEY FOR DAVIS CUP?
The eight teams competing in the final take a share of a prize pool which is then split among their players and national associations.
In 2024, the winning nation received $4,283,000 which was split among each member.
Group winners, runners-up and third place from the group stage also receive a squad prize.
HAS AUSTRALIA EVER WON THE DAVIS CUP?
Australia has won 22 stand-alone titles and six titles as a combined Australasia team since the inaugural competition in 1900. Only the USA, with 32, has won more.
WHICH COUNTRY HAS WON THE MOST DAVIS CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS?
The United States is the most successful nation in the history of the competition with 32 championships.
