Celebrating the spirit that helped Australia declare Davis Cup victory over Hungary, Lleyton Hewitt famous how staff success can translate to particular person highs.
Sydney, Australia, 6 March 2022 | Vivienne Christie
Within the hours after they’d accomplished a come-from-behind win over Hungary within the Davis Cup qualifier, spirits have been understandably excessive amongst Australian staff members.
After the visiting nation had performed the match of their lives to say an upset win within the doubles, Alex de Minaur had levelled the tie with victory over Marton Fucsovics.
Thanasi Kokkinakis subsequently defeated Zsombor Piros within the stay fifth rubber to full an total victory for his nation.
However this was no time for particular person accolades, staff captain Lleyton Hewitt as an alternative pointing to the Australians’ camaraderie as essentially the most essential component of their victory.
“I’ve by no means been a part of a Davis Cup tie that’s straightforward,” stated the 41-year-old, who contested a document 43 ties for Australia as a participant.
“You all the time anticipate twists and turns at completely different instances. And that’s definitely what the final two days has thrown at us but once more, and also you’ve bought to have the ability to take care of it and we did that.”
“I’m simply actually happy with the boys’ efforts. Everybody within the staff and the squad, they got here and ready and did completely every part that we requested of them. The eagerness and staff spirit have been second to none, and it actually confirmed.
“Even after we have been 2-1 down, you already know, within the locker room the assumption that that everybody had that we may nonetheless discover a approach to flip it round.”
De Minaur and Kokkinakis, who’d brilliantly staged that turnaround, echoed Hewitt’s sentiments.
“I feel slightly than you already know, particular person outcomes, Davis Cup is way more than that. It’s about this staff,” stated De Minaur, acknowledging the sidelines assist that noticed him lengthen his Davis Cup document to seven wins and 4 losses throughout the 9 ties he’s contested.
“This group of men that made it a precedence to fly right here and be right here and, you already know, it’s an unimaginable wealthy historical past and custom that (the) Australian Davis Cup staff has and each one of many boys right here they know what it means they usually make it a precedence,” stated De Minaur.
“We’re making an attempt to construct one thing necessary, one thing significant, and everybody out right here will get it, you already know, now we have one another’s backs each step of the best way and this was a staff win greater than something.”
After including to a career-best season that began with a primary singles triumph in Adelaide, Kokkinakis defined the distinctive excessive of a staff effort.
“It’s simply very completely different taking part in in a staff environment, you’re taking part in for greater than your self. It’s not simply kind of private accolades,” he associated, explaining that Australian No.1 De Minaur set a benchmark amongst staff members.
“However everybody, all week, win or loss, I really feel like we simply bought alongside as a gaggle very well,” Kokkinakis added.
“It feels such as you’ve bought the entire nation backing and supporting you… it is sick” 🤙@TKokkinakis soaks in a particular second for the Aussie staff#DavisCup #byRakuten | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/FiwNejPyLN
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) March 5, 2022
Hewitt defined how the staff spirit extends from essentially the most skilled staff members to the youngest ones.
“The boys converse concerning the staff camaraderie, however, you already know, it’s not simply me,” stated Hewitt, noting the distinctive affect of veteran staff coach Tony Roche.
“Rochey is likely one of the greatest drivers of it and, you already know, I couldn’t be doing what I try to do with these guys with out Rochey. And we’re simply so fortunate to have somebody like him that wishes to nonetheless be part of it, as a result of, for my part, is the perfect coach on the planet and he nonetheless is.”
“And the depth that he can carry to any follow courtroom. I don’t care who’s on the courtroom, whether or not it’s Alex, Thanasi, these guys, or our orange boys – at any stage this week, the depth goes via the roof.
“We’re simply very lucky that we’ve bought him as a part of our staff and our tennis group and I’m fortunate to have him as a mate.”
Charlie Camus and Edward Winter, the orange boys for Australia in Sydney this weekend, may look to Hewitt’s instance in gauging the worth of their first Davis Cup expertise.
The Australian captain mirrored on becoming a member of the staff for Australia’s World Group first spherical in opposition to defending champions Sydney in 1997, when Pat Rafter famously recovered from a two-sets deficit to defeat Cedric Pioline.
It proved a profession turning level for Rafter, the Australian happening to win the primary of two US Open titles later that season. “I simply wished to play Davis Cup eternally from that day,” Hewitt smiled.
With consecutive ATP Masters 1000 occasions set to begin at Indian Wells and Miami from later this week, the staff captain recognises how present Australian staff members, together with Alexei Popyrin, can translate their Davis Cup experiences to particular person tournaments.
“This must be a confidence-building for these guys and, you already know, even Alexei, he may have simply performed this week as nicely. He got here again and did completely every part we requested of him however when he leaves this tie, we would like him to be a greater participant than when he arrived,” stated Hewitt.
“We try to do laborious work on the follow courtroom, and we would like them to exit and have success now and we really feel like these guys are due they usually deserve that they usually’ve put within the laborious work.”
