BRITAINS Fed Cup plans are in chaos after leading star Jo Konta withdrew from the new event to focus on the Tokyo Olympics.
And Katie Boulter, who performed heroics last year in qualifying in London, has also refused to commit herself to the GB team this season.
Fed Cup qualifiers take place the weekend after the Australian Open finishes.
Britain are set to face Slovakia away on clay between February 7-8 with the winner securing a spot at the inaugural finals weeks in the Hungarian capital of Budapest in April.
Konta, 28, has been managing a knee injury for more than a year and has decided she has other priorities this year
The world No.13 said: I had a really good chat with captain Anne Keothavong in November.
Everyone who is important to me does know about this decision and has been really supportive and on-board with it.
Its kind of a combination of things: its an Olympic year, its something Im looking to hopefully just schedule things slightly differently.
Thats for the longevity of my body and to be able to come back in following years and hopefully play more Fed Cup.
Any given time Im out on court I put my body at risk and thats just part of the life I live and everyone else who plays professional sport.
But in terms of how I am going about it Ive been advised by my medical team and team in general. Also I know my body the best and so for now its about management and being smart.
Boulter, 23, says she doesnt know yet whether she play in the tournament and plans to sit down with Keothavong in Melbourne.
It appears she may also withdraw leaving Britain very limited with Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Katie Swann as the only experienced players available.
The world No.317 injured her back playing against Kazakhstan in the World Group II Playoffs at the Cooper Box last April.
She said: Im really passionate about Fed Cup. You can tell from last year I put my heart and soul into absolutely everything playing for my country.
I havent made a final decision on Fed Cup this year so far.
Im trying to focus on Melbourne and take one step at a time and not look too far ahead.
Ill be having those conversations I believe afterwards.
Its a massive shame to be losing Jo this year for February, shes obviously a huge asset but weve got a massive depth to our team.
Im going to see how it goes, see how my body is. Clearly I havent played that many matches yet. I need to play more and Ill make a decision after.
