Rusedski may need another operation

Greg Rusedski has withdrawn from next week's Kremlin Cup ATP Tour tournament in Moscow and is worried that he might have to undergo surgery to his injured left foot.

The potential seriousness of Rusedski's condition, which he described as inflammation of the retro calacaneal bursa when forced to pull out of Britain's Davis Cup World Group qualifying tie against Thailand in Birmingham last weekend, was underlined yesterday as the Lawn Tennis Association wondered what task next month's World Group draw was likely to set them in February next year.

Rusedski, 29, had a similar injury to his right foot in 1999, resulting in surgery to remove a cyst. Now No 34 in the world, he knows that another operation could jeopardise not only his ranking but also his career. Early next year, for example, he has points to defend from a tournament victory in Auckland and a third-round appearance at the Australian Open.

The British No 2 said he first felt pain in his left foot after losing to Pete Sampras in five sets at the United States Open, adding that the injury had no bearing on the match's result.

On returning to London from New York after spending two days visiting relatives, Rusedski sought advice from John Nixon, an orthopaedic surgeon, and was told to rest and have treatment until he was due to practise with his Davis Cup team-mates at Wimbledon a week last Friday. Rusedski said he informed Roger Taylor, the Davis Cup captain, about the injury. When he joined the rest of the players at Wimbledon on the Friday, Rusedski said he was in pain as soon as he started to practise.

After an MRI scan the following day, Rusedski was advised by his surgeon to rest and have intensive physiotherapy treatment for a minimum of two weeks. Rusedski said that Dr Michael Turner, for the LTA, was shown the results of the scan and concurred. His withdrawal from the team was announced four days before the draw took place last Thursday.

In Rusedski's absence, Tim Henman, the British No 1, agreed to take a calculated risk and play three best-of-five-sets matches in three days in spite of an inflamed right shoulder. Ably supported by Miles Maclagan, who substituted for Rusedski in the doubles, Henman, his form and confidence improving day by day, won all three matches.

Rusedski did not attend the match at the National Arena. Apparently he watched on television while resting at home between visits for treatment. Sections of the media insinuated that Rusedski was dodging the column. There was speculation that he and Taylor had fallen out and a rumour that Rusedski might not agree to play Davis Cup in future.

Taylor's reaction? "There is no misunderstanding between Greg and me. We want a player of Greg's ability in the team. We want a fit Rusedski in the team."

With the possibility of an away tie against the likes of Australia, Spain, Argentina, the United States or Sweden, Taylor desperately needs the services of Rusedski.