Tennis ACT is hopeful Nick Kyrgios' rapid rise will be the ace in its pack when it bids to host Davis Cup and Federation Cup ties early next year.
Informal talks have also taken place about using Canberra's new world-class clay courts as a training base for Australia's top players before the European season.
Kyrgios has endured an injury-plagued start to the year, but time on Canberra's clay surfaces has enabled him to kick-start his European season.
He leapt from 46 in the world rankings to 35 after making the final of the Estoril Open in just his second tournament back from an ankle injury, and he is on the cusp of being seeded at this month's French Open.
The 20-year-old was due to play Roger Federer in the second round of the Madrid Masters early Thursday morning (AEST).
Tennis ACT is in the middle of a multimillion-dollar development of its Lyneham facility, and $550,000 has been allocated to improving 12 clay courts. Six have been upgraded to Italian tier-one clay as part of the second stage of the process, with the others to follow suit soon.
Tennis ACT boss Ross Triffitt believes the venue is "well positioned" to bid for a Davis Cup or Federation Cup tie early next year.
Australia will play their quarter-final against Kazakhstan at Darwin in mid-July on grass, with Kyrgios expected to spearhead the team after missing the round-one away win over the Czech Republic.
"Given the quarter-final tie is in the Northern Territory, it's unlikely we'd host a semi-final, because we don't have the seating capacity," Triffitt said. "Depending on the draw and whether we draw a home tie, [we'll bid for] Fed Cup or Davis Cup.
"It is a competitive tender process but we're well placed, with Nick being part of the team [and] the fact we've never had Davis Cup here, or Fed Cup since 1999."
Traditionally the toughest surface for Australians to adapt to, Kyrgios' ability to train full-time on clay in his own backyard has been an advantage.
Triffitt said there was scope for Australia's best to converge on the capital as a training base before the French Open. Kyrgios had been flying in hitting partners to train with him in Canberra.
"Clay surfaces are available at Melbourne Park, Sydney Olympic Park and Brisbane tennis centre, but they don't have as many courts," Triffitt said. "Nick loves to be home, so it'll be something to help attract players here.
"Tennis ACT, long before my time, made the courageous decision to bring in 12 clay courts. We've benefited from that.''
Triffitt said clay was physically less taxing on Kyrgios.
"The courts are now as good as anything in Europe," he said. "The surface is more forgiving and softer on his body, it's a good surface for him to be coming back from injury on.
"Most of his success has come on quicker courts, but he proved with his final at Estoril he can still play a high standard on clay."
