John Millman has vowed to reward the faith shown in him by Lleyton Hewitt by getting Australia off to a flying start in the Davis Cup semi-final against Belgium.
The 28-year-old was a shock inclusion for the tie in Brussels this weekend with Hewitt preferring the Queenslander over original selection Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Millman will make his Davis Cup debut in the opening singles rubber against world No.12 David Goffin, who has won 13 of his last 14 Davis Cup singles rubber, on Friday (10pm AEST).
Hewitt made the decision to go with Millman due to a strong showing in practice and also his good form at the US Open where he reached the third round earlier this month.
“It’s an unbelievable moment for me,” Millman told AAP.
“It’s something I will remember for a very long time. It is the pinnacle of sport to represent your country.
“I was very lucky to do it at the Olympics last year and that was very special.
“It’s not just about the boys on the sideline who I will play every point for, I’m representing what makes tennis great in Australia and all the people that have help get me to this point.”
Millman said his excitement was tempered by great sympathy for Kokkinakis, who was bitterly disappointed to miss out having missed so much tennis due to injury over the last two years.
“Thanasi is a great player and great kid too,” he said.
“He’s also the future of Australian tennis. He is going to play a lot of ties in the future and going to play an important role in this team.
“There was mixed emotions yesterday as we are a team and we fight as one. I am sure he would have been extremely disappointed and that’s tough.
“We live and die by the sword together and now it is up to me to get on with the job and try and serve the team as best I can and justify the faith they’ve shown in me.”