Emma Raducanu withdrew from her match against Naomi Osaka as Great Britain started their United Cup campaign with a 2-1 group-stage win against Japan in Australia.
The British number one has not played since October and pulled out of two exhibition matches in the United States in December because of a minor foot issue.
Her withdrawal against Osaka in Perth comes in the lead up to the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on 18 January.
“I have to be honest, she was very close,” GB team captain Tim Henman told Australian broadcaster Nine prior to the tie.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. She had been building up and practising really well. But we just felt this morning it was a little bit too early.”
Raducanu has struggled for form and fitness since winning the US Open in 2021 but, last season, completed 50 matches for the first time in her career and is 29th in the women’s rankings.
The 23-year-old began a month of pre-season training with coach Francisco Roig in Barcelona last month and has added physiotherapist Emma Stewart to her team.
Despite Raducanu’s absence, Great Britain managed to beat Japan and will face Greece in their other Group E tie on Monday.
“She [Raducanu] struggled with her foot at the end of last year,” Henman said after the Japan tie.
“The improvement she’s made has been fantastic. She’s been practising in London, only doing static drills, to be out on the practice court and moving and playing games. She’s very close.
“In terms of tomorrow [against Greece], it’s still a little bit up in the air. We’re forced to put Emma on the list because if we didn’t do that, then that only gives us one option.
“When we get back tonight, we’ll discuss it as a team.”
