Krygios to play Davis Cup tie for Australia

Kyrgios said "it's a pleasure and privilege to be able to represent my country"

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Nick Kyrgios on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to Australia's Davis Cup team amid fears he could pull out in protest at Tennis Australia dumping Bernard Tomic.

During an extraordinary tirade against Tennis Australia and former national team coach Pat Rafter at Wimbledon last week, Tomic suggested Kyrgios may sit out this month's Davis Cup quarter-final against Kazakhstan in support if he did not play.

TA subsequently axed Tomic for the July 17-19 tie in Darwin for his "disparaging and disrespectful comments".

However Kyrgios, who was scheduled to play Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the Wimbledon fourth round on Monday, moved quickly to ease doubts over his future.

"As a proud Australian it's a pleasure and privilege to be able to represent my country in Davis Cup," he said on his Facebook page.

"As long as I'm able, fit and healthy, It's an opportunity I will never pass up. #Darwin #DavisCup."

Kyrgios has divided the All England Club between those that believe his colourful antics are good for a sport in need of characters, and others who claim his behaviour is petulant and disrespectful.

Even Australian fans are uncertain whether to embrace the brash 20-year-old, who swept into the last 16 for the second successive year with a typically chaotic 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over Canadian seventh seed Milos Raonic on Friday.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph on Monday ran a front page splash under the headline "Game, Set and Brats", focusing on Tomic and Kyrgios with a comment piece saying the pair were rapidly climbing the list of "Most Hated Young People in Australia".

Tomic complained about a lack of financial support from Tennis Australia during his media conference rant following his fourth round exit to defending champion Novak Djokovic on Friday.

He also incensed tennis figures when he insulted Rafter, one of the country's sports icons.