Australia’s bid to end a 21-year Davis Cup title drought has encountered a setback as Alex de Minaur will miss the group stage due to persistent hip issues. The world No. 11, who reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open, was hindered by the injury, leading to his exit from the Grand Slam following a straight-sets defeat by Briton Jack Draper.
Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt confirmed de Minaur’s absence ahead of their opening match against France in Valencia later on Tuesday. Despite the setback, Hewitt remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“Alex has been exceptional for us in the Davis Cup over the past few years,” Hewitt said. “However, he has been struggling with this hip issue since Wimbledon and hasn’t been near his best. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, it was the only option.”
Hewitt acknowledged the tough competition Australia faces in their group, which also includes the Czech Republic and Spain. Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in his team’s ability to advance without de Minaur. He highlighted the strong performances of other Australian players at the US Open, such as Alexei Popyrin. Who made headlines by upsetting Novak Djokovic to reach the last 16, and the successful men’s doubles pairing of Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell.
“We believe in our team’s capabilities,” Hewitt added. “These players have put in significant effort throughout the year, and they’ll be confident as we head into the tournament.”
Australia, historically the second most successful nation in Davis Cup history behind the United States. Has reached the finals in the past two years, falling to Italy in 2023 and Canada in 2022. The last time Australia won the title was in 2003, when Hewitt played a crucial role in defeating Spain in the Melbourne decider.
