Roger Federer could face old rival Lleyton Hewitt in the Davis Cup later this year after Switzerland were drawn against Australia in September's World Group playoffs.
One of the few accomplishments Federer has left to achieve in world tennis is winning the Davis Cup but it has never been one of his highest priorities. Nevertheless he turned out for his country over the weekend to help lead them out of Euro-African Zone One but it still remains to be seen how committed he is to helping them back into the World Group.
Switzerland with Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka would be a force to be reckoned with against any of the sides in the World Group. Federer has not lost a rubber since 2004 and he won Olympic gold with Wawrinka in 2008 but he has not competed for his country in a World Group tie since 2004.
He may well be inspired by the challenge posed by Australia in September. They have one of the tour's most promising rising stars in Bernard Tomic and Hewitt remains a stalwart for his country. Hewitt was the last man to beat Federer in Davis Cup, coming from two sets down to defeat the Swiss in a thriller during a semi-final tie back in 2003.
Federer described it as a painful defeat for many years to come and he may well be tempted by the chance to settle old scores.
