Hewitt after Australia's Davis Cup elimination: "I'm very proud of the players".

Australia will not be playing in their third consecutive Davis Cup final. Like last year, the team led by Alex De Minaur came up against Italy.

Despite putting up a good fight, Thanasi Kokkinakis eventually succumbed to Matteo Berrettini (6-7[6], 6-3, 7-5).

In the second singles match, De Minaur was beaten by his bête noire Jannik Sinner (6-3, 6-4) and lost for the ninth time in as many encounters against the world number 1.

Lleyton Hewitt is understandably saddened by his elimination. The Australian tennis legend, now captain of his country in the Davis Cup, had this to say after the defeat.

"It's obviously very difficult for the boys to digest. They put in a lot of effort to give us a chance to be here and get close to the final.

But I'm very proud of the players. Once again, they gave their all to represent the team in the best possible way," the 43-year-old told Tennis Australia.

The second most successful nation in the competition's history, with 28 titles, Australia has been searching for another Davis Cup triumph since 2003.