Fears over Davis Cup hell trip

A call to the Foreign Office could be required if Great Britain's Davis Cup tennis team have to travel to Zimbabwe or Israel in their Euro/Africa group match next year.

Relegation from the World Group - a result of the 3-2 defeat by Morocco this week - has left Britain down among the also-rans of the game.

Tomorrow's draw in London opens the way for two venues that would cause serious political problems for the Lawn Tennis Association.

The defeat in Casablanca has seen Britain's world ranking drop nine places to No 24, just above Uzbekistan.

Britain lost to Zimbabwe at Crystal Palace in 1997, meaning the next meeting between the two countries must take place in the troubled African nation. England's cricketers boycotted their World Cup matches in Zimbabwe after lengthy discussions earlier this year.

A trip to Israel - defeated at Eastbourne in the last meeting 18 years ago - would also produce security concerns.

The only comforting news for Britain is that they are likely to be one of the four Euro/African zone seeds and will receive a first-round bye. They will not have to play until April.

A seeding place will leave Britain waiting to face the winner of one of the early round matches.

If Britain are not seeded then they will have to face a Euro/Africa match in February.