Thursday 29 October 2015 17:22, UK
Australia's new Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt says he will do all he can to help Nick Kyrgios become a star of the future.
The 34-year-old, two-time Grand Slam champion, replaces Wally Masur who had taken over as interim skipper following the decision by Pat Rafter to stand down earlier this year.
Hewitt was part of an Australian side which reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup in 2015, with his final action as a player coming against Great Britain in Scotland during September.
Hewitt, who won the Wimbledon singles title 13 years ago, also tasted Davis Cup glory in 1999 and 2003, and he retires as his country's most prolific singles winner in this competition.
One his main tasks as captain will be to steer the talents of combustible duo of Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios, both of whom have strained relations with the sport's national governing body - as well as the Australian public.
Nick, I think, is really finding himself at the moment.
Hewitt said: "For me, it's about instilling my experience in these younger guys. He's got to be who he is to a certain extent. I don't think Nick realises how powerful his image can be.
"He is so good for the sport of tennis in so many ways, if he can control it to a certain line, because he brings so many different people to watch our great sport, and he does it not just in Australia but across the globe.
"And in some ways, he is like a basketball player trying to play tennis, and it's a great image for our game as long as he does it in the right way, and that's obviously what we're trying to put in place with him.
"When I came out on tour I didn't always have the best image out there either, so it's about dealing with that and learning from the mistakes that you've made over time. Nick, I think, is really finding himself at the moment.
"But he has massive upside as well, and I think with the right people around him and the right team around him I think he can really improve the next year or two in leaps and bounds and hopefully hold up a grand slam trophy."
Hewitt's first match in charge of Australia will be a tasty home encounter against the United States in March of next year.
