Lleyton Hewitt, Davis Cup champion in 1999 and 2003, and finalist in 2000 and 2001, repeats as a finalist in the chair of the Australian Davis Cup team. Before the final against Jannik Sinner’s Italy, the former number one sits down with MARCA to talk about his team, the absence of Kyrgios and the promising future of his son Cruz.
Ask. They have not had two Davis Cup finals since 2001.
Answer. It is always complicated because there are many countries and, regardless of whether we win the title or not, I will feel satisfied with the work of the boys. We have one last effort left to try to win.
Q. Do you see the team spirit that you had as a player reflected?
R. Totally, that’s what makes me feel most proud. They do everything that I and the rest of the coaches ask of them. They deserve the results they are getting.
Q. Do you miss Nick Kyrgios on the team because with him they would be stronger?
R. Not necessarily. The players we have here work very well as a group, they motivate themselves every day in training and that is reflected later in the games. I couldn’t be happier with the tennis players I have here. To win the final you have to be there and we are there.
Strongest team with Kyrgios? Not necessarily
Q. Since you retired, Australia has not enjoyed a ‘top’ player, someone capable of winning the ‘Grand Slam’. Why?
R. I don’t know. It is true that Nick (Kyrgios) was close but he didn’t quite get involved. Alex is now also knocking on the doors of the ‘top10’ and will surely be there in the future.
Q. You played four Davis Cup finals, the one at Palau Sant Jordi was the most complicated because of the land and the environment against you?
R. Yes, probably. When you played as a visitor it was always more difficult because you didn’t choose the surface, but at the same time I liked this type of challenge when I was a player. It was a tough defeat and it was difficult for me to accept. But at the same time I knew I had done everything possible to achieve victory and when I look back I feel equally proud.
Q. What are your first memories of Davis Cup?
R. Especially the first year we won, in 1999, because it was my first on the professional circuit.
My son Cruz is not doing bad, we are different
Q. Your son Cruz, 14 years old, seems like he is going to follow in your footsteps due to the good results he is obtaining in lower categories. Do you see yourself reflected in him?
R. He’s not doing it wrong. I think we are different. It’s nice to see him enjoy playing sports. Tennis is a beautiful sport and I like that it makes its way.
Q. Are you a father as well as your coach?
R. No, he has his own coach.
Q. Would you like to have him under your command one day as Australian Davis Cup captain?
R. Let’s see and wait, although it would be somewhat difficult to handle.
P. Novak Djokovic has won three of the four majors at 36 years old. Are you surprised?
R. It is incredible and admirable what he is doing in tennis and in the world of sports to maintain this level. He does everything in his power to always have his body in perfect condition.
2023-11-26 08:26:20
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