Alex de Minaur has opted to sit out Australia’s Davis Cup first-round tie away to Ecuador from February 6–8 in order to better manage his workload during a demanding start to the season.

The 26-year-old has been a central figure in Australia’s Davis Cup team since making his debut in 2018. With 24 career ties to his name, only Lleyton Hewitt, Todd Woodbridge and 1930s–40s great Adrian Quist have represented Australia more often. His commitment to the competition is underscored by a tattoo of his player number, 109, on his chest.

However, memories of previous occasions when he played Davis Cup matches without full fitness weighed heavily during weeks of discussions with non-playing captain Hewitt. De Minaur has struggled with hip problems over the past two years, and the timing of the Ecuador tie — just five days after the men’s Australian Open final — posed a significant risk.

With the tie scheduled in South America and set to be played on clay, De Minaur decided against adding long-haul travel and additional matches to an already packed calendar, opting instead to prioritise his long-term health.

Now ranked world number six after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin last year, De Minaur will head into the Australian Open expecting a deep run. His quarter-final appearance in 2025 remains his only trip to the last eight at Melbourne Park.

“I’ve decided that, with the issues my body has had over the last year, it was smartest to sit this one out,” De Minaur said at the United Cup in Perth, where he defeated Czech Republic’s Jakub Menšík 6-4, 6-1 on Tuesday.

“I’ll definitely be available for the next tie, and I’ll be cheering the boys on and really excited about that.”

Hewitt offered unequivocal support for the decision, emphasising the importance of protecting his star player.

“Considering the time of year, the conditions, the surface — there are so many variables,” Hewitt said. “It’s about making sure Alex isn’t put back into a position like he was a year and a half ago, when he ended up playing injured for nine months.

“When the draw came out, it was extremely tough. With the bigger picture in mind, we’ve come up with a plan that we believe is best for him moving forward.”