Andy Murray is considering skipping the Barclays ATP Tour Finals to help aid Britain's Davis Cup campaign, but the ATP won't have a bar of it.
The World Tour Finals - played on hardcourt at the 02 Arena in London - finish just five days before Britain's Davis Cup final against Belgium kicks-off, likely to be on clay.
And Murray has made clear that the Davis Cup is his highest priority.
"The O2 would obviously be a question mark for me if we were playing on the clay. I would go and train and prepare on the clay to get ready for the final," Murray had told BBC Radio 5 live.
"For me to play - if I was to reach the final - five in a row and then take a couple of days off, it would mean only playing for two days on the clay before the Davis Cup final starts and that wouldn't be enough for me.
"I need more time on the clay to let my back get used to it."
However, ATP president Chris Kermode - a long-time ally of Murray's - has since made it clear his organisation is expecting the 28-year-old to participate at the O2 from November 15-22.
"The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is a mandatory event on the ATP World Tour and all players who qualify, unless injured, are required to compete in the event," he said in a statement, quoted by several national newspapers.
"He has had a fantastic season and earned his place among the world's top eight players to compete at the season finale.
"We are aware of the comments made after the Davis Cup tie in Glasgow, however our expectations are that, if fully fit, Andy would compete in this year's tournament.
"Unless we hear otherwise via an official withdrawal, he is still entered to compete at the O2."
Share
