Nick Kyrgios has replaced injured Canadian Milos Raonic in Team World for next month’s inaugural Laver Cup.
Kyrgios has answered the SOS call from Team World captain John McEnroe to join American trio John Isner, Jack Sock and Sam Querrey, Argentine Juan Martin del Potro and Canadian Denis Shapovalov in a big-hitting line-up to take on star-studded Team Europe in Prague from September 22-24.
“He’s as bold as he is talented and I truly expect him to shake things up,” McEnroe said.
“In Nick, you have an exciting young player who clearly thrives on a big stage and against the world’s best players.”
Kyrgios, the world No.18 and third-highest-ranked player in Team World, has shown an uncanny ability to find his best form against the sport’s biggest names.
On his Wimbledon debut in 2014, he upset of world No.1 Rafael Nadal on the All England Club’s famed centre court having saved nine match points earlier in the tournament against former semi-finalist Richard Gasquet.
Now a three-time winner on the ATP Tour, the Australian No.1 has since claimed multiple wins over Novak Djokovic and upset Nadal again last week en route to his first Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati.
The exciting 22-year-old has also thrived in Davis Cup, winning every rubber he has contested in 2017 to lead Australia into the World Group semi-finals.
“I love to draw on the energy that comes from being a part of a team and I can’t wait for the Laver Cup because I’ll be competing with guys who are also my friends.
“When John McEnroe and I got together and he asked me to be on the team and showed such faith in me, I was delighted to accept.
“Playing for one legend in honour of another is not something we get to do often.
“And, of course, as an Australian, it’s a privilege to compete at an event that honours Rod Laver. We grew up learning that he’s a hugely important part of our history.”
Team World will have its work cut out against the might of Team Europe, who will be spearheaded by Nadal and fellow tennis titan Roger Federer, with support from young guns Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem, veteran Tomas Berdych and Wimbledon runner-up Maric Cilic.