Rinky Hijikata recovers from injury setback to earn Davis Cup debut

(Getty/AI Bello)

Rinky Hijikata has received his maiden Davis Cup call-up for Australia in a crucial qualifying tie against Belgium this weekend.

The 24-year-old won the Australian Open men's doubles title two years ago alongside countryman Jason Kubler, and also reached the Wimbledon doubles final earlier this year as an alternate with Dutchman David Pel.

"I'm really excited for Rinky, it's going to be his first time wearing the green and gold, and for him to get an opportunity at a place where he grew up playing as well in Sydney is something really special," Hewitt said. "That's one of the greatest things about my job: giving these guys that opportunity.

"He's won a Grand Slam before, but also at Wimbledon, he did bloody well to get through to another final of a doubles Slam."

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In late July, The First Serve exclusively reported that Hijikata was battling a grade II abdominal tear.

Despite recovering in time for the US Open, he lost in straight sets in both the singles and doubles draws.

Alexei Popyrin (back injury) and Matthew Ebden (elbow tear) have been omitted from the squad.

Hijikata will join Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, Aleksandar Vukic and John Peers in the five-man squad.

"It depends on the guys that we're missing out on, so they had to cover them. It's kind of like the next man up," Hewitt shared.

"In terms of (Vukic), he did a job for us in Sweden earlier this year. I think the conditions here suit his game really well.

"Peersy was always coming into the team anyway as the fifth player as another doubles option, and then Rinky came into the team when Ebden got injured. He's kind of that versatile player that we could use for doubles, but also a backup singles if need be."

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The winner of the tie will qualify for November's Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy.

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