Rusedski has only 'two clear years' left

Greg Rusedski hopes to have two years in which to make the most of his career when he finally returns to action next month following his operation on his left foot in October. "I was told by the doctors it would take about three to five months," the British No 2 said yesterday. "I'm having more physiotherapy every day and more training with my physical fitness trainer."

It is the second time in three years that the big-serving Rusedski has been out of the game because of a foot injury (he had surgery on his right foot in December 1999). "Once I get over this little bit of a problem I think I'll have two clear years to do the best that I can," said Rusedski, who has not played since the week before his 29th birthday last September.

Interviewed on British Eurosport, Rusedski was asked if the public wondered about his commitment to the Davis Cup after his decision to withdraw from Britain's tie against Australia in Sydney from 7 to 9 February before he knew if he would be fit to play tournament tennis in Doha, Qatar, earlier this month. "I think that's totally wrong," Rusedski said. "Obviously I want to play [in the] Davis Cup. The next tie I'll play. If there's some way we can get through, that's wonderful."

He added: "Last time I pulled out 10 days or two weeks before the tie [against Thailand] and got a terrible time. This time I pulled out a month and a half before to give us time to give the guys who would have to play time to prepare for the tie.

"My doctor said it would be three to five months. Sometimes you just can't win. At least I made the decision myself which I thought was best. Maybe some people agree, some people don't."

* The ATP Tour will stage events in Beijing and Bangkok this year at the expense of tournaments previously held in Hong Kong and Tashkent. The Beijing tournament will be held in the week starting 8 September, the week following the US Open. The Bangkok event is scheduled to be played the week beginning 22 September.