Revenge will be on Australia’s mind when they contest what captain Lleyton Hewitt believes is the ATP Cup’s toughest draw.
Hewitt admits Australia will face a daunting task when they host Germany, Greece and Canada in the inaugural tournament’s round-robin Group F in Brisbane starting next week.
Tennis’ next generation of stars will line up against the hosts, including Germany’s world No.7 Alexander Zverev, last month’s ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Canadian young gun Denis Shapovalov.
But Hewitt believes Australia – spearheaded by Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios – will be motivated by last month’s frustrating Davis Cup campaign where they were bundled out in the quarter-finals by Canada.
Hewitt said his team would not only be out to make amends for their Davis Cup disappointment but would be looking for some payback against Canada at Pat Rafter Arena.
Asked if he was keen for revenge against Canada, Hewitt told AAP: “Absolutely.
“They (Australia) will be ready to go when they step on the court.
“(But) I think on paper it is the toughest group there is. We didn’t get a lot of luck with the draw.
“Every match will be tough in Brisbane but I think it is a great preparation for their Australia Open.”
Hewitt backed Australia to move through to the finals of the 24-team ATP Cup to be held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney from January 3-12.
After the group stages are held over six days, the top eight countries will contest the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in Sydney.
But progressing may be easier said than done.
Zverev masterminded Germany’s Davis Cup win over Australia on the same Brisbane court in 2018 while Shapovalov is still buzzing from Canada’s recent success over the hosts.
And world No.6 Tsitsipas, 21, will arrive as arguably the world’s form player after becoming the sixth-youngest ATP Finals champion in November.
However, Hewitt believes de Minaur is ready to shine bright among the sport’s brightest stars.
The current world No.18 looms as the hosts’ trump card after winning all three of his Davis Cup singles matches last month, including his clash with Shapovalov who is ranked three places higher than the Australian.
“The group is full of the next generation of stars. These are the guys who will be fighting it out for the grand slams in the next five to 10 years,” Hewitt said.
“And I think Alex played some of his best tennis at the recent Davis Cup.
“He beat Shapovalov in one of the best matches I have seen two young players play in a long time – I am expecting Alex to step up again.”