Hewitt calls on Kyrgios to break into tennis elite group

Retiring Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt believes that controversial player Nick Kyrgios has the required talent and power to make it to the list of world's top ten.

According to Hewitt, Kyrgios is capable of beating anyone and could match the level of the best guys in the world, the Guardian reported.

The 34-year-old said that he has a great respect for Kyrgios, adding that he hopes the mercurial tennis star would achieve a lot of success for the next three to five years.

The duo will play together for Australian Green at the Hopman Cup before heading into the Australian Open.

Describing his strategy, Hewitt, who would retire after the first major event, said that he would try to be at his absolute top and would push himself to the limits.

Earlier, Kyrgios had sparked controversy when he made lewd remarks to Stan Wawrinka during their Montreal Masters match. He was also handed a suspended ban and a fine by the ATP tour for his remark.