Novak Djokovic and Peter Luczak at the announcement of the Davis Cup draw. Tennis Australia

Three summers toiling away as Lleyton Hewitt's personal hitting partner paid dividends today when late-blooming Victorian Peter Luczak earned a dream role with the Australian Davis Cup team.

Luczak will take on Serbian star Novak Djokovic in the opening match of Australia's World Group playoff tomorrow after beating Chris Guccione to the contentious No.2 singles position for the much-hyped claycourt tie at Belgrade's Beogradska Arena.

It will be the 28-year-old's third tie but first in a full-strength line-up and first supporting Hewitt.

Enjoying a career-high ranking of 91st in the world after his best season yet, 28-year-old Luczak credits Hewitt for much of his development.

Australia's former world No.1 has made a pre-Christmas tradition of hosting Luczak and his partner at his Sydney mansion for a fortnight of intense training before the Australian Open.

For that Luczak couldn't be more grateful.

"Last year he had his court just put in so that was great," he said. "We'd just roll out of bed and have a good three, four-hour session.

"It's a beautiful house so it's a pretty nice lifestyle there. Good training. Like a holiday.

"But Lleyton's been really good actually. Whenever I ask, he's more than happy to give me some advice.

"He's very knowledgable about the game. He's had unbelievable experiences in his career, so he obviously knows what's going on.

"He always points out to me a few tactical things, which I'm always pretty appreciative of.

"Just practising with a guy like that, improves my level and obviously it improves my game."

The respect is mutual, with Hewitt saying Luczak's selection was due recognition for one of the hardest workers on tour.

"What he's been able to do after going to college tennis is fantastic," Hewitt said.

"And he wasn't the world's best junior and he's put in the hard yards since then and works as hard as anyone on the tour.

Australian No.1 Lleyton Hewitt greets Serbia's No.2 Janko Tipsarevic, who he will play in the second singles match on Friday, September 21.

 

"He got married recently and has got a young kid and his results this year to break into the top 100 have been fantastic.