While Nick Kyrgios says he has always played with sizeable expectations, Davis Cup competition carries significantly more pressure still. He enjoys it, though, says the world No.15, who on Friday will follow his good friend, debutant Jordan Thompson, onto Kooyong's centre court.
The improved Thompson, filling the No.2 singles vacancy created by Bernard Tomic's unavailability, will start against Czech No.1 Jiri Vesely, ranked 54th. Next will be Kyrgios, as a raging favourite against world No.157 Jan Satral – himself a replacement for the absent Tomas Berdych.
"I think the pressure in Davis Cup is more, way more, than when you're playing by yourself out there," said Kyrgios, who has a 4-4 overall record in the teams competition. "I've played a lot of big matches and I still don't feel as much there as I do at Davis Cup. So having Lleyton [Hewitt, as captain] on the side is massive, and everyone in our support team puts a lot of work in and you're playing for them as well.
"I like it. I've kind of been playing with the weight of expectation my whole career, so I know what it's like to go out there and try and come away with the win, [and] I think Thommo is going to be fine."
The fact the Czechs elected to keep battle-hardened veteran Radek Stepanek fresh for Saturday's doubles – and potentially Sunday's second reverse singles – was exactly as Hewitt had forecast, he said, following the draw under the Cirque du Soleil big top.
"I'm happy how it played out," said Hewitt. "Obviously there's a lot of pressure on Jiri on day one. Playing Thommo, I think it's great for Thommo to get out there first match and get right amongst it. He's been practising extremely well, he's gonna be confident in how he's played over the last month or so as well, so it's exactly how we've been planning for it."
The pair's only meeting was in a three-setter won by Vesely in Sydney qualifying three years ago, although Thompson is familiar with the strengths of his powerful left-handed opponent. "Obviously he's got a big serve, he's pretty consistent from the back, he beat Novak [Djokovic] last year, so he's obviously a quality player."
Kyrgios knows rather less about Satral – the obscure 26-year-old hoping for the Vesely-provided cushion of a 1-0 lead in his maiden cup appearance – but will be armed with both a scouting report and his usual bold approach.
"I know what I'm gonna do tomorrow, I know how I'm gonna play," said the tie's top-ranked player. "But I'm not underestimating him at all. He obviously can play some great tennis."
Hewitt said Thompson's ranking, 65th, and relative lack of experience in five-set matches may temper expectations slightly. "You've got to start somewhere, though, so this is a great opportunity, and for Thommo it's a perfect time to play in the exact same conditions that you've just played so well in on the same court surface as the last month ... I think he's going to have a really good account of himself tomorrow."
The Czech's acknowledge their hosts are favoured to advance to an April quarter-final against either the US or Switzerland, Stepanek answering with a smiling "you'll see" when asked if he expected to play on Sunday if the tie was still alive.
"The match order is not that important – at the end of the day it's all about to get three points, no matter in what matches, but obviously it would be great if Jiri can start and bring the first point home," said the 38-year-old, named to partner Zdenek Kolar on Saturday against Sam Groth and Australian Open champion John Peers.
"It can be in [Satral's] favour that he has nothing to lose, because Nick will obviously be a big favourite in that match. But that can maybe loosen him up a little bit and open his wings straight away."