SYDNEY (AP) Nick Kyrgios says he's confident of being fit to lead Australia into its Davis Cup tie against Slovakia in Sydney starting Friday.

Kyrgios hasn't played since a hip injury caused him to retire from his third-round match against Illya Marchenko at the U.S. Open nine days ago. But he says the hip is better now and he's ''playing probably the best tennis I have.''

The Australia No. 1 told a news conference Tuesday, ''I just got a niggling injury that came out of nowhere almost. I feel confident and I think we can do great things.''

Kyrgios will likely team with Bernard Tomic in singles and doubles for the first time since he made his Davis Cup debut three years ago.

The Australians, who chose to play the tie on grass at Sydney's Olympic tennis center, must beat a depleted Slovakia team to retain their place in the 16-team World Group for 2017.

Slovakia will be without its two highest-ranked players, Martin Klizan and Lukas Lacko.