Bedene unable to represent Britain in Davis Cup final after ITF adjourn decision on eligibility

Aljaz Bedene will be unable to represent Britain in the Davis Cup final ©Getty Images

Aljaz Bedene will be unable to represent Great Britain in their Davis Cup final clash with Belgium after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) adjourned his appeal against a ruling which blocks his eligibility.

The world number 45, who previously represented Slovenia, was granted United Kingdom citizenship in March having lived in Britain since 2008.

He had hoped to represent the country in the Davis Cup, despite playing for Slovenia on three occasions, the last coming in 2012.

A rule change at the start of this year prevents players from representing a second country in the annual team event.

Bedene, the British number two, appealed on the grounds that his application for a passport had been submitted prior to the rule alternation.

The ITF adjourned his appeal until March, however, leaving Bedene ineligible to compete in the final, due to take place in Ghent from November 27 until 29.

He will now also miss the first round of the 2016 tournament which is scheduled to take place from March 4 to 6.

“The application by the Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain for the granting of eligibility for Aljaz Bedene to play Davis Cup by BNP Paribas was adjourned until the next ITF Board of Directors to be held on 20-21 March 2016,” an ITF statement read.

“The ITF has taken this decision in order to ensure that the rights of all parties are considered.”

With 26-year-old Bedene ineligible, James Ward and Kyle Edmund will be vying to secure the second singles spot alongside British number one Andy Murray.

Jamie Murray, Andy's brother, and Dominic Inglot have been included due to their doubles expertise as Britain prepare to compete in their first final since 1978, with the tie set to be played on clay.

Belgium will play their first Davis Cup final since 1904 on home territory ©Getty Images

“Our GB Davis Cup team is proud to be competing in the Final in Ghent this year," said Leon Smith, Britain’s captain.

"It is a historic ‎moment in British Tennis and I'm delighted to name these five players for the tie against Belgium.

"The support from our fans has been unbelievable, there is no other word for it.

“For those making the trip to Belgium it will be more important than ever that they make as much noise as possible and get behind the team."

The final is due to go ahead as planned despite security concerns following the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 132 people, with the Belgium men’s football team seeing their friendly against Spain called off on Tuesday (November 17).

That was after Belgian Salah Abdeslam was identified as a key suspect by police, which sparked a major manhunt in the country.

Belgium will be hoping to claim their maiden Davis Cup victory with the final at the 13,000-capacity Flanders Expo in their first appearance in the final since 1904.

Their captain Johan van Herck has named David Goffin, Steve Darcis, Ruben Bemelmans and Kimmer Coppejans in his team for the final.