New Zealand doubles player Artem Sitak. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Artem Sitak has been named New Zealand's Davis Cup tennis captain, replacing Kelly Evernden ahead of their next tie against Luxembourg.
Former Davis Cup doubles regular Sitak said he felt "honoured" to take up the road and will lead the team in their World Group Two tie in Palmerston North on 14-15 September.
The 38-year-old retired as a professional player after this year's ASB Classic, having made his Davis Cup debut against Uzbekistan in 2011 and he represented New Zealand for the final time against Thailand last September.
Sitak this week announced a team for the tie comprising KP Pannu, Ajeet Rai, Rubin Statham, Finn Reynolds and Jack Loutit, who has been selected for the first time.
Twenty-year-old Loutit is about to enter his second year of collegiate tennis at the University of Kentucky, and his progress has been closely followed by Sitak.
"He was with the team when we played Bulgaria in Christchurch and I saw him play there and thought he was good," Sitak said.
"Then I saw him in Auckland this year at the ASB Classic in qualifying and we hit a few times before that. His improvement was drastic, his shots had got really big and he'd got stronger. I know right now he's at college and he's with a good coach, so that will help him a lot."