Six weeks before South Africa's World Group Davis Cup play-off against Germany and no one - except maybe Kevin Anderson himself - knows whether South Africa's number one player will make himself available for the fateful tie in Stuttgart.
This is the frustrating situation in which South African Davis Cup captain John-Laffnie de Jager finds himself as he attempts to piece together a squad for the distinctly difficult task of reclaiming a place in world tennis's premier team event after an absence of more than 10 years.
"Yes, it's hardly the ideal situation," said De Jager, "what with the tie against the talented Germans away from home and set down to be staged on a relatively unfamiliar clay court. But I've had discussions with Kevin and while there is no definite commitment, I am hopeful he will see his way to playing in Stuttgart."
De Jager, however, is looking ahead and attempting to put an end to the kind of dilemma in which he finds himself as a result of Anderson's continued non-commital stance after not making himself available for Davis Cup duty for more than 18 months.
The South African Davis Cup captain believes signing up players on an annual contract to represent South Africa in much the same way as it is done in cricket and rugby could eliminate the present disturbing problems regarding availability.
"Naturally the players objectives and interests in the ATP and grand slam tournaments would have to be taken into account," added De Jager, "but I believe some sort of arrangement could be agreed on whereby players who are good enough make a point of helping their country at the same time."
The big bugbear, however, might be in obtaining a branded sponsor for South Africa's Davis Cup team much like that which exists in cricket, rugby and soccer.
But while major commercial conglomerates are quick to boast what a wonderful job they are doing in serving South African sport, the bottom line invariably remains: "what's in it for us?"
And, in this respect, South African tennis, for one reason or another, is not receiving the kind of sponsorship it requires to lift tennis in the country back to its previous heady levels.
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A great day for the system. It could have been a horrible day, losing four days in a row and having two sequences to break down and recover over time.
Instead the two stage three bets both won, along with most others and many at the second stage giving a great £36.18 profit for the day which is over 20% of the bank and takes the total up to a nice looking £191.73.
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