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Melbourne - Lleyton Hewitt may break his short-lived retirement as a replacement for Nick Kyrgios in Australia's Davis Cup World Cup tie against the United States at Kooyong in Melbourne on Friday.
The veteran nominated himself in a playing capacity Thursday for his countryman, who has been battling illness and a back injury and was unavailable, in the singles draw alongside Bernard Tomic.
But when the draw was made his name was missing with Sam Groth nominated as the second singles player behind Tomic.
Groth will face John Isner and Tomic was drawn against Jack Sock.
Hewitt was also not nominated for Saturday's doubles, preferring doubles specialist John Peers and Groth against Bob and Mike Bryan.
There is still an opportunity for Hewitt to play in the tie in Sunday's reverse singles, depending on the state of play.
If the 35-year-old warhorse does participate he will be the first playing captain for Australia since Norman Brookes in 1919.
Hewitt announced his retirement at this year's Australian Open in Melbourne when he bowed out to Spain's David Ferrer in the second round.
He has played in a record 41 Davis Cup ties for his country, with a 58/20 win-loss record in singles and doubles.
Hewitt remains the youngest player to reach world number one, in 2001, aged 20 years and eight months.
He won two Grand Slams - conquering Pete Sampras in the 2001 US Open final in straight sets, and Argentina's David Nalbandian at Wimbledon the following year.
