Overview
- De Minaur confirmed he will skip the February 6–7 tie in Quito after month‑long talks with Hewitt, calling it a brutal but necessary choice.
- He cited a chronic hip issue that forced him out of the 2024 Wimbledon quarter-final and lingered through 2025 as the key factor.
- Hewitt highlighted the tie’s timing right after the Australian Open, the clay surface and high altitude as reasons to avoid a setback.
- With Alexei Popyrin unavailable, Australia’s squad for Ecuador features James Duckworth, Aleksandar Vukic, Rinky Hijikata, Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
- Fresh off strong United Cup results, de Minaur has reached a career‑best live No.5 ranking and says he aims to be ready for future Davis Cup ties.