Crowd favourites Casey Dellacqua and Lleyton Hewitt are relishing the opportunity to team up for Australia Gold when they return to the Hopman Cup in 2016.
For the first time in history, two Australian teams – Australia Gold and Australia Green – will contest the ITF’s official mixed team competition. The Australia Green team will be announced next month.
“I’ve always loved playing the Hopman Cup, I love playing for my country,” said Hewitt, the former world No.1 who will lineup for his eighth appearance at the event.
“I’ve never played in the new stadium in Perth either so I’m looking forward to it.
“Plus for my last Australian Open I think it’s great preparation. I’m guaranteed the three matches but hopefully four if we can make the final.
“I’ve got a lot of great memories…. the amazing crowds. Every year the crowds turn up for no matter what countries are playing each other, but especially when Australia is playing. It’s always a packed house,” said Hewitt, who alongside Alicia Molik finished as Hopman Cup finalists in 2003.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to play with Lleyton… he is coming to the end of his career and I’m at the later stages of mine so we’ve got a lot of experience on the Gold team,” Dellacqua said.
The in-form Dellacqua has had an outstanding year in doubles, reaching the finals at Roland Garros and the US Open, and winning the title in Madrid.