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Aussie young gun Thanasi Kokkinakis says the Davis Cup will be a key to his future success on the international stage.

Kokkinakis says that his experiences playing for his country in Davis Cup this year were integral to helping him crack the top 100 in the world.

“It (Davis Cup) was a big part of my year this year, huge,” Kokkinakis told the Advertiser.

“I won my first live rubber and Wally was a great captain, I thought. If it wasn't Lleyton coming in, I think he'd still have the job.

“It was huge for my confidence and then I had a great week the next week at Indian Wells. Davis Cup can really improve you.

“We've got a good future to build around now and with Lleyton as a captain ... it's going to be good for us.''

The 19-year-old said he would always make himself available to play for Australia.

"It's what you play for, really," Kokkinakis said

Kokkinakis hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt, by making the event a corner stone of his career.