Lleyton Hewitt’s Davis Cup captaincy debut will take place in Melbourne, with Kooyong selected to host Australia’s first-round tie with the United States in March.

Hewitt will retire after next month’s Australian Open, after which he will focus his attention on restoring tennis in Australia to its former glory – working with talented youngsters Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in his new role as Davis Cup captain.

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Kooyong, the former home of the Australian Open, will host its first Davis Cup tie in 10 years from March 4-6 on a portable grass court to be installed on the centre court.

It’s a tricky but winnable assignment for Davis Cup great Hewitt, with the US team boasting seven men in the top 100 including the likes of John Isner, Jack Sock, Steve Johnson, Donald Young and Sam Querrey.

“The tie against the United States is going to be tough,” Hewitt said.

“It will be my first tie as captain and I’ll be looking to help the boys build on the momentum and progress of 2015.”

Australia’s last meeting on grass at Kooyong against the United States took place in 1993 and next year’s tie will mark the two nations’ 46th Davis Cup battle.