Kyrgios Withdraws from Davis Cup, Vukic Steps In

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from Australia's Davis Cup squad due to an abdominal strain, leading to Aleksandar Vukic being called up as his replacement. Captain Lleyton Hewitt expressed disappointment over Kyrgios's injury, which compounded his struggles following recent wrist surgery and a lack of match play before the Australian Open. Kyrgios's early exit from the tournament after being defeated by unseeded Jacob Fearnley highlighted his ongoing injury issues, which have plagued him since 2023. Vukic, ranked 66th in the world, will now join Alex De Minaur in the singles matches as Australia aims for success in the Davis Cup. Despite the setback, Hewitt remains optimistic about Kyrgios potentially returning in the future. Vukic, who recently had a breakthrough performance at the Australian Open, expressed excitement about his Davis Cup debut.