Former world No.1 Andy Murray is unsure about entering the inaugural ATP Cup, with the Australian Open his main priority.
The 32-year-old, who is about to embark on a three-week stint in Asia as he continues his comeback from hip surgery, has until 5pm on Friday to commit to the new tournament in Australia.
Murray would need to use his protected ranking of world No.2 to get Great Britain into the team competition – where each tie has two singles and a doubles rubber – as 32nd-ranked Kyle Edmund is unlikely to be high enough to qualify.
The Scot is only in the infancy of his comeback from the hip operation that saved his career, playing just three singles tournaments, and his need for matches, the proximity of the tournament to the Australian Open and the team’s need are all factors playing on his mind.
“I need to decide on that by tomorrow (Friday),” Murray said. “And I find that quite difficult because I don’t want to play if I shouldn’t be playing.
“If I use my protected (ranking), I will play as the No.1 player. I think if you are playing in a competition like that the best player should be picked to play.
“The Australian Open would be the priority for me. And I don’t want to go there and not play any matches. So, I am finding that quite a difficult choice to make.
“I wouldn’t play the ATP Cup with it being that close to the Aussie Open if I was not going to play singles at the ATP Cup. I feel there are quite a few conflicts going there.
“If I am just looking out for myself, I’d go there, I enter and I play as the No.1 player, and I guarantee myself to play three matches, then that is great.
“But that is not how team competitions work. You should look out for what is best for the team and how you are going to win.”
Murray will return to the ATP Tour in a fortnight having dropped down to Challenger level for the first time in 14 years earlier this month when he heads to China.
He will play three tournaments in China – in Zhuhai, Beijing and Shanghai – before returning to Antwerp for the European Open.