Australia’s bid to end its 21-year Davis Cup title drought has been dealt a blow with star player Alex de Minaur ruled out of the group stage due to a lingering hip injury. Despite his recent US Open quarterfinal run, de Minaur’s hip issue ultimately forced him to withdraw. Captain Lleyton Hewitt, however, remains optimistic about Australia’s chances, highlighting the strong form of other Australian players, including Alexei Popyrin and the doubles duo of Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell.