31 March 2017 | Tennis Queensland

With Nick Kygrios through to the semi-finals in Miami, Australia’s Davis Cup team have touched down in Brisbane without their No.1 player.

Today, the team had its first practice session on Pat Rafter Arena. with captain Lleyton Hewitt insisting Kygrios’s late arrival won’t affect the team: Nick’s form is the most important factor.

“It’s really just keeping the rhythm with Nick now, his serve is so important if he’s serving that and feeling well on the practice court the rest comes together quite nicely,” Hewitt said.

Hewitt believes the 21-year-old is enjoying a return to form off the back of  the Davis Cup, and the sense of pride and purpose it brings for players.

“I think the Davis Cup in Kooyong after the Aussie Open really kick started his year again, obviously he was disappointed how he lost in Melbourne at the Australian Open, but he had the support of all the boys and playing for his country he went out there and got the job done. I think that gave him a lot of confidence and belief since then he’s hardly put a foot wrong,” said the team captain.

Meanwhile, the team’s No.2 player Jordan Thompson is relishing being back in Brisbane, where he made the quarterfinals at the 2017 Brisbane International singles, and won the doubles with partner Thanasi Kokkinakis.

“I can see straight away as soon as Jordan got out here he felt at home he felt comfortable and that’s one of the main reasons we came up here as well, all the boys were keen to come to Queensland and get that support,” said Hewitt.

Despite a less than favorable two weeks in America, Hewitt says Thomson is ready to play next week.

“He rolled his ankle in Indian Wells and it was worrying at the time and due to that he was a little underdone going into Miami, but it was still important he went out and played.”

With the USA fielding a team of four players inside the world’s top 30, Hewitt says it could be an advantage if they underestimate Australia’s No.2 player.

“It’s a good thing he (Thompson) comes in as the underdog. The US team expects to come out and get 2 points against Jordan, he knows that. I think me sitting on the side of the court with him is a good thing. Thommo and I click, we’ve done a lot of work together as well, and he has that inner belief from me being there and supporting him,” he said.

Tickets are still available for the tie, which will be held at the Queensland Tennis Centre April 7-9.

“I’ve played some big Davis Cup ties in Brisbane in the past, I remember one against Kafelnikov and Saffin on the grass, but it was a fantastic atmosphere and we want all Queenslanders to come out and support this,” said Hewitt.