by Neil Harman

 THE prospect of Greg Rusedski playing any part in the 2003 Australian Open or the Davis Cup tie in Sydney in February is receding by the day. There has been no date fixed for the British No 2’s return to the court after his foot operation in the summer.

Rusedski had hoped to have been hitting balls by now, but the delay is a depressing omen for the player’s chances of a tilt at the first grand-slam championship of next year and, more importantly from a domestic point of view, surviving a Davis Cup world group tie on clay. He is looking for a new coach as well - what with the second split from Sven Groeneveld, who left because he could not plan ahead without a start date.

Groeneveld has picked up with Mario Ancic, the promising 18-year-old from Croatia, leaving Rusedski with yet another period of concern as he searches for a coach who can inspire him to believe that, as he approaches 30, he can challenge once more at the top of the sport.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4-497365,00.html