Lleyton Hewitt lashes out at Davis Cup as Australia lose Canada final

Leon Smith on Andy Murray's inclusion in GB Davis Cup team

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt has publicised his disappointment with Davis Cup organisers for not allowing a home tournament, as the nation’s 19-year wait for success agonisingly continued on Sunday. Canada defeated Australia comprehensively in the Malaga final, lifting the coveted trophy for the first time in its 122-year history.

Australia, 29-time winners, will have fancied themselves in the final, despite carrying underdog status, with only the USA lifting the Davis Cup more times with 32 triumphs. But Canada completed a remarkable journey to claim victory, in which they were eliminated from qualifying before replacing defending champions Russia.

First, Denis Shapovalov cruised past Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-2 6-4 before Felix Auger-Aliassime chalked off the need for a doubles decider by beating Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4. Canada’s quality showed, boasting two top-20 players, but Hewitt had suggested his team were at a disadvantage even before the action began.

Before the one-sided final had even started, Hewitt blasted tournament organisers for the lack of editions in Australia, despite the country’s distinguished Davis Cup history. He said: “I’d love it [the final] to be in Australia … I’m disappointed the boys don’t get to play in front of 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena.

JUST IN: Djokovic rocks up unannounced at Davis Cup to cast eye over rivals

“When it [the Cup] changed to this format, it was only ever going to be twice a year, so we have added on another week. It’s been a bloody long year for everyone, and we are a long way from home, too. Don’t forget that. I don’t like the chances of this final series ever being played in Australia.”

The Davis Cup final hasn’t been held in Australia since 2003 when the team from Down Under clinched their 28th title with a 3-1 win against Spain in Melbourne. But since that year, Spanish cities have hosted six times, including the last three.

Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic and former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique were among the 9,500-person crowd at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. And despite the crushing defeat, Hewitt insisted Kokkinakis and Auger-Aliassime left everything they had out on the court.

“I’m gutted for the boys. They’ve put in the commitment and the work and done absolutely everything right all year. They left it all out there once again; we came up slightly short, but I couldn’t be prouder – and all of Australia should be proud,” Hewitt explained.

Source: Read Full Article