Australia will play Belgium in Davis Cup tie in Sydney in September

Lleyton Hewitt has continuously hit out at playing Davis Cup ties overseas and finally gets his chance to bring the team home.

Australia will play a home Davis Cup tie for the first time in three years when Alex de Minaur leads the team in a Sydney showdown with Belgium as they chase a fourth-straight berth in the finals.

Captain Lleyton Hewitt has long bemoaned the format that forced the Australians to try to qualify at overseas venues and de Minaur said the chance to play on his “favourite court” at Ken Rosewall Arena was overdue.

It’s the first time since 2022 that the Australians, who defeated Sweden 3-1 in February to reach the qualifying stage, will get home court advantage.

“I’m looking forward to playing in Sydney, it’s no secret Ken Rosewall Arena is my favourite court,” world No.10 de Minaur said.

“I have some amazing memories competing there, and to be back in Australia in September is going to be a lot of fun.

Alex de Minaur will lead the Australian charge in September. Picture: Michael Campanella/Getty Images for ITF

“We haven’t played Davis Cup at home since 2022, so it means a lot. We are hungry as ever to qualify again for the finals and really give it everything.”

The Australians are seeking a spot in the Davis Cup Final 8, this year being staged in Bologna in November,

“It’s really exciting to be back with the team in Sydney for Davis Cup in September,” Hewitt said.

“We will be led by our No.1 Alex de Minaur, who’s showing us why he’s one of the world’s best.

“Our focus is on getting through and giving ourselves the opportunity to move through to the Final 8 in Italy, so I’m asking the fans to come and pack out Ken Rosewall Arena in September to support us.”

The Australian team took down Sweden in February. Picture: Jonas Ekstromer / TT News Agency / AFP

Australia leads Belgium 4-3 in the head-to-head series, including a 3-0 win in Hamburg during the group stage in 2022.

“This tie against Belgium isn’t going to be easy. They are a quality team, and they did really well against Chile in February,” Hewitt added.

Australia’s team line-up will be confirmed in mid-August.

Australia has finished Davis Cup runners-up twice in the last three years, in 2022 and 2023, but last won the title in 2003 when Hewitt helped take down Spain at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Originally published as Australia will play Belgium in Davis Cup tie in Sydney in September