Andy Murray has 'earned the right' to miss GB's Davis Cup tie in Serbia

Leon Smith bemoaned the "nightmare" Davis Cup schedule that means Andy Murray will miss Great Britain's quarter-final against Serbia in Belgrade this weekend.

Team captain Smith has named Kyle Edmund and James Ward as his two singles players and in the doubles Andy's brother Jamie, ranked fifth in the world, will partner doubles specialist Dominic Inglot.

Murray was named in the team last week but admitted after winning Wimbledon on Sunday it was unlikely he would contest the tie.

Smith is hoping Murray will come out to Serbia to support his team-mates for the clash at the Tasmajdan Stadium, which starts on Friday.

The tie presented the tantalising prospect of a clash between the world's top two players but both Murray and Novak Djokovic are absent and the highest-ranked player on show will be world No 67 Edmund.

GB captain Smith said of Murray: "He's obviously had an amazing moment again in his life and has enjoyed that moment. He's got to be careful with his own commitments.

"This date is a real nightmare for everybody, not just him. It's a big commitment for all these guys to be here, to have to switch surface yet again. I think it's a real shame the best players aren't playing again.

"But what we've got is a great bunch of guys who totally respect Andy's decision. Hopefully he'll come out and support the team, which would be great because his commitment's been amazing.

"I think he's earned the right (to miss the tie). We're looking forward to it and, if we manage to do it, it can be even sweeter."

Had Murray decided to play, he would have had no time to enjoy his Wimbledon triumph and would have had to head straight onto the clay.

The tie then comes just a week before the start of the American hard-court season, which includes the defence of his Olympic title, and then the US Open.

Smith had been hopeful last week that Murray would play, but said: "He's got to look forward to what could be an amazing summer with the Olympics and US Open, where he's got a really good chance in both of them.

"He's obviously got the bit between his teeth to go and make that happen and focus on the ranking as well and keep that progress going. We're all absolutely delighted for him."

As well as Djokovic, Serbian No 2 Viktor Troicki is also skipping the tie, with the home team made up of Dusan Lajovic, Filip Krajinovic, Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic.

Smith said: "It's going to be really difficult but we've still got a very, very good team. The Serbians are at home, it's their choice of surface, so perhaps they're slight favourites, but I think we're ready to do something."