Pat Rafter would not reveal his preference for the surface that will host South Korea in April, and could not offer much at all about what Australia could expect from its next Asia-Oceania zone group opponent.
''We've got to get back Pat to the world group,'' smiled cup debutant Matthew Ebden, helpfully. ''Then he might know a few more of the guys.''
Yet what is already very clear to the second-year Davis Cup captain, a husky-voiced presence courtside after Saturday night's spirited celebration of what yesterday ended as a 5-0 sweep against China, is the spirit he is determined to foster in an Australian squad that has spent five long and frustrating years out of the world group.
''My intention [since] last year is to try and create an environment where the guys are going 'you beauty, it's Davis Cup, let's go'. And we're starting to get that,'' Rafter said after Ebden and fellow substitute Chris Guccione yesterday scooted through the dead reverse singles rubbers at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club.
''A few things are probably not ideal that we do, but it's trying to create a bit of fun and atmosphere, and camaraderie among the blokes, so it's a process, but it's getting there.
''The guys come along, they're loving it, so ... I hope they don't step out of the fray at this stage.''
Indeed, an unchanged quartet is expected to be named for the zone semi-final tie likely to be played on a fast hardcourt from Good Friday, and which will determine whether Australia qualifies for a third consecutive world group play-off appointment in September.
Rafter candidly admitted he had ''no idea'' about the South Korean players, but said he was learning.
The Koreans have featured in the world group more recently than Australia, with long-time servant Hyung-Taik Lee having anchored the squad that in 2008 graduated from zone play for just the third time in a 50-year Davis Cup history.
At 20, Yong-Kyu Lim is the nation's current new No.1, the world No.288 having claimed singles and doubles points in the Koreans' weekend win over a depleted Taiwan.
''They're similar sort of players to the Chinese; they play pretty aggressive and hard and flat,'' offered the ever-helpful Ebden, at Rafter's prompting, the world No.83 having replaced Bernard Tomic in the first reverse singles and beaten Chinese rookie Ma Ya-Nan 6-4, 6-2 on debut.
''The Asian guys are brought up on those fast hardcourts, so it's going to be a little bit similar.''
Yet it was also a different, almost experimental, experience for Ebden yesterday, with Rafter beside him on the court.
Dual US Open champion Rafter admitted he chatted more than usual at the changeovers in an attempt to better understand Australia's new boy, and encourage Ebden to ''step out of his comfort zone and play the shots that's required to take that next step up''.
Improving depth is crucial to rebooting the nation's tennis prosperity, and Rafter sees in the eager, hard-working Ebden an ideal example - and target - for the likes of Marinko Matosevic, James Duckworth and Ben Mitchell.
''Those guys are looking up and going 'oh, hang on, I was playing with this guy just six months ago, and look where he is', and it's really important for those guys to see it,'' Rafter said.
''Whatever spurs those guys on, whether it's competition or even a little bit of jealousy in some ways, it's all getting those next guys up, so they're all pushing each other in their own way.''
As for the surface next time, an early preference for grass is believed to have altered, with tenders for the April6-8 tie to be sought in the coming days, and an eastern seaboard host being tipped.
''We can't say anything yet,'' Rafter said. ''But we've discussed what we want and it's up to the guys at Tennis Australia to find that venue.''
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