Hewitt comes out of retirement

Lleyton Hewitt could be in line for a shock return to tennis as playing captain of the Australian Davis Cup team after replacing an ailing Nick Kyrgios against the United States.

Former world No.1 Hewitt, who retired after the Australian Open in January, took over the Australian captaincy at the start of 2016 and is in charge for the first time in the World Group first-round tie at Kooyong starting on Friday.

With Kyrgios struck down by a virus and also struggling with a back injury which forced him to withdraw from his semifinal in Dubai last week, Hewitt on Thursday replaced him in Australia’s four-man team.

He is not currently scheduled to play in the tie, having promoted Sam Groth to play both singles in place of Kyrgios and doubles with John Peers when the draw was conducted on Thursday.

But that decision can be changed up till an hour before play, leaving open the possibility Hewitt could inject himself into the doubles on Saturday if he feels Groth needs to be rested for Sunday’s reverse singles.

In Friday’s opening singles matches Groth is drawn to face American No.1 John Isner before Australian No.1 Bernard Tomic plays their No.2 Jack Sock.

Hewitt, 35, is Australia’s most successful Davis Cup player of all time, having won 58 of the 78 singles and doubles matches he has competed in since his 1999 debut.

He also helped guide Australia to Davis Cup titles in 1999 and 2003, and made his last appearance for Australia in their World Group semifinal loss to Great Britain last year.