Tuesday 17 November 2015 15:25, UK
Andy Murray has strongly hinted that he will vote for Aljaz Bedene to join Great Britain's Davis Cup final team, should he win an appeal.
Slovenian-born Bedene has fallen foul of a rule change that bans players from representing two different countries in the competition.
Bedene received a British passport in March and will have his case heard by the International Tennis Federation board in Prague on Tuesday - the same day GB captain Leon Smith must name his team for the final against Belgium in Ghent next week.
And Murray, who opened his ATP World Tour Finals campaign with a 6-4 6-4 victory over David Ferrer on Monday, said: "My view is that the process has taken such a long time that it is awkward timing now.
"I think everyone thinks that. Whereas if this decision was made, like, seven months ago, we wouldn't even be having the discussion. That isn't his fault that it's taken such a long time. It's also not his fault that it's 10 days before the Davis Cup final.
"I'm not the one that makes the rules. If he wins his appeal and is able to play, then, if I'm the captain, I'm picking my strongest team to try and win.
"But that's Leon's decision. That's what he's paid to do. I'm sure he'll make the right one and give us the best chance to win."
Bedene is widely considered Britain's second-best singles player behind Murray, and is 45th in the world ranking. The 26-year-old was used by Murray as a clay-court practice partner only last week.
But GB skipper Smith is not short of options, with James Ward, Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans all in-form and in contention for the second singles spot.
And Murray said: "Obviously it's a good position to be in. It's better to have players that are coming in on form, which wasn't the case really in the last tie.
"I think that's what made things tough for Leon last time."
