With the ATP Finals in the rear-view mirrors, one last major trophy remains up for grabs in the 2024 ATP season. National pride is on the line between two nations that have historically dominated this competition, with Australia meeting the USA in the quarterfinals. Both teams have been on title droughts since the 2000s. Australia last tasted success in 2003, when Lleyton Hewitt was ranked amongst the top players in the world, while Andy Roddick and the Bryan brothers guided the US team to victory in 2007.
However, the Aussies have fallen agonisingly short in the past two seasons with back-to-back finals appearances, first losing to Canada in 2022 before succumbing to Italy last year. With Australia’s team starting their Davis Cup finals campaign tonight, it’s a good chance to break down how the team is faring going into a tricky fixture.
Australia’s 2024 Davis Cup run
As runners-up of last year’s tournament, Australia received direct entry into the group stage, drawn into Group B alongside France, Spain and the Czech Republic. The Aussies finished runners-up in the group despite the absence of national #1 Alex de Minaur due to injury, with Alexei Popyrin stepping up in his place.
Australia’s tournament began with a 2-1 ledger over France, with Thanasi Kokkinakis defeating young star Arthur Fils in straight sets. Following that came a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic, though one of those wins was from Popyrin’s opponent, Tomas Machac, retiring after just one game. The final tie in the group stage was against Spain, which would determine who would top the group. The Spaniards came out on top despite Carlos Alcaraz not participating in the tie.
Player profiles
Alex de Minaur
Australia’s top-ranked singles player, de Minaur has taken his game to another level over the past few seasons, though he has struggled with a hip injury on and off since Wimbledon. The 25-year-old is currently ranked 9th, peaking at world no. 6 earlier this year. He captured two trophies this season, including defending his title at the Mexican Open in February.
It’s expected that de Minaur will match up against Taylor Fritz, just a few days after they last met in the ATP Finals in Turin. While de Minaur was eliminated in the round-robin stage, a tantalising match-up awaits him against America’s male no. 1 to enact revenge. As he was only a late inclusion into the team, it remains to be seen how problematic that hip injury is. However, he remains Australia’s best chance at going one step further in Malaga.
Alexei Popyrin
Popyrin, 25, has enjoyed a career-best season on the ATP Tour, including winning his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open, in which he defeated Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov, Hubert Hurcakz and Andrey Rublev en route to the title. His game has grown to another level this season, becoming seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets.
He will slot in behind de Minaur as Australia’s second singles player, likely matching up against Tommy Paul or Ben Shelton in the other singles fixture.
Thanasi Kokkinakis
If, for whatever reason, captain Lleyton Hewitt decides that de Minaur isn’t quite fit enough to play in the quarterfinal and wants to save him for a future round should Australia progress, then the onus might land on 28-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis to get the job done. A talented junior whose professional career has had many ups and downs, we haven’t really seen the best of Kokkinakis. He will run into a patch of form, then face a long-term layoff which has seen him unable to maintain a healthy ranking.
Currently, Kokkinakis is ranked 77th in the world, hitting his highest rank of no. 65 about 12 months ago. Hewitt could also deploy him as a doubles player, with his best achievement in the format coming at the Australian Open in 2022 alongside Nick Kyrgios. The pair troubled every team with their unconventional tactics, delighting crowds every step of the way.
Jordan Thompson
Thompson is another player who has enjoyed a career-best season in both formats of the game. Not only has the 30-year-old reached his highest singles rank of no. 26 following a fourth-round loss at the US Open to compatriot and teammate Alex de Minaur, but he recently became world no. 3 in doubles as well.
This season, his accomplishments on the doubles court include winning his first Grand Slam trophy at the US Open alongside Max Purcell and his first Masters 1000 doubles title in Madrid back in May. Thompson could adequately fill any role in Australia’s team, either as a dedicated doubles player or the number two singles player.
Matthew Ebden
The oldest player on the team will be turning 37 next week but remains a top force on the doubles tour in 2024. After winning the Australian Open with Rohan Bopanna, Ebden became the first Australian male to reach doubles no. 1 in February since Todd Woodbridge in 2001, when he retained the rank for six months after his long-time teammate Mark Woodforde retired.
Ebden only retained the top spot for a few weeks, though he still holds a high ranking at no. 6. He also clinched the Masters 1000 doubles trophy in Miami in March and secured a gold medal for Australia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, so he knows what it takes to represent his country. Ebden will likely partner with either Thompson or Kokkinakis to face the USA’s doubles team of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
The run to the final
If Australia manages to defeat the USA, then it’s likely that they will encounter Italy in a rematch from last year’s final, led by current world no. 1 Jannik Sinner. That match-up will likely be even tougher than it was last year.
Not only has Sinner gone to a new level this season, but, much like Australia, the members of the Italian team have improved out of sight. 22-year-old Lorenzo Musetti has been entrenched in the top 20 since making the final four at Wimbledon, also claiming an Olympic bronze medal in Paris in singles. Likewise, Andrea Vavassori made it to the finals of two Grand Slam doubles events this season. Of course, it’s unfair to write off Argentina, but the Italians look a class above right now.
On the other half of the draw, Germany and the Netherlands triumphed over Canada and Spain, respectively, with the latter ending Rafael Nadal’s legendary career. So, while one semi-final is locked in place, tonight will determine if Australia will join them in the next round.
Header image: The Davis Cup, by Carine06. Available here and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Images of Alex de Minaur and Matthew Ebden licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Images of Alexei Popyrin, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jordan Thompson licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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