Australia's top-ranked male Alex de Minaur has been left out of the Davis Cup entry list for November's finals, meaning his 2024 season will likely be over.
Changes are permitted between now and November 19, but de Minaur is battling a tight race against the clock.
Team captain Lleyton Hewitt announced the official roster that will make the trip to Malaga for the Davis Cup knockouts, selecting Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Max Purcell and Matt Ebden.
All five players were present during the group stage phase earlier this month in Valencia when the Aussies finished second in their group behind Spain and ahead of France and Czechia.
However, de Minaur's absence from Hewitt's squad has raised concerns.
The 25-year-old suffered a hip cartilage tear on match point during his fourth win against Arthur Fils at Wimbledon. Two days later, he was forced to retire before hitting a ball against Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Despite a heroic last-eight showing at the US Open, the dual Newcombe medalist was visibly struggling during his straight-sets defeat against Jack Draper on Arthur Ashe Stadium. He hasn't featured in a competitive match since.
The Davis Cup is the final event scheduled for the calendar year, so it is expected that de Minaur will use the next few months to rest and return to full fitness for the Australian summer.
De Minaur cracked into the top-10 at the start of this year before reaching a career-high world No.6 mid-year, currently sitting at No.11.
There is still hope, as Hewitt admitted last week that de Minaur would work out a plan with his team to ensure the best chance for selection.
“He’s going to do everything to get back as quickly as possible,” Hewitt said.
Australia and the USA will square off in the quarter-finals in the pair's first meeting since 2017 when the green and gold edged the tie 3-2.
The Americans have selected a dominant force, including Taylor Fritz [No.7], Tommy Paul [No.13], Ben Shelton [No.17] and two doubles specialists in Rajeev Ram [No.10] and Austin Krajicek [No.28].
Having lost back-to-back finals in 2022 and 2023, the Aussies are aiming to win the Davis Cup for the first time since Hewitt's playing days 21 years ago.
Comments