Aljaz Bedene said ‘f*** that’ to his hopes of playing Davis Cup for Great Britain… and now he’s rediscovered his best tennis

ALJAZ BEDENE said “F*** that” to his bid to play for Britain in the Davis Cup – and rediscovered his best tennis.

Bedene felt the uncertainty and disappointment surrounding his lengthy battle with the authorities was “ruining” him.

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So after the latest setback in March, he put the issue on the back burner and is coming into the French Open as Britain’s in-form player on the clay.

Slovenia-born Bedene, who will take on the USA’s Ryan Harrison in the first round on Monday, said: “I’ve just said to myself: ‘F*** that, and focus on your game.’

“Because it was ruining me. Last year I quit the season and that’s why I dropped out of the top 100. Not because I wasn’t playing good tennis or anything, I just didn’t want to play.

“Now I’m enjoying it again.

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“Imagine you really want something and can’t get it, it’s going to affect you, not just sleep wise but everything. It wasn’t easy on the mental side.

“I am 27 years old. I want to do something in tennis. I have definitely forgotten about the Davis Cup for a few months and just dealt with my game, and that helps.”

Bedene has lived in Hertfordshire since 2007 and became a British citizen in 2015.

But the International Tennis Federation changed the eligibility rules and the fact Bedene had played dead rubbers for Slovenia means he cannot represent Britain.

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Independent arbitrators became the latest authorities to reject his appeal in March. The world No 52 may yet try again and insists he is not bothered by Dan Evans, ranked No 55, claiming that he is the real British No 3.

Bedene said: “I think he’s got every right to say what he thinks. In a way I agree with him because I’m not allowed to play the Davis Cup.”

Bedene won 16 matches in a row on clay, winning two Challenger events in the process. His only defeats on the surface have been against the highly-ranked Lucas Pouille, Milos Raonic and Novak Djokovic.

Bedene added: “I’m feeling good physically and mentally.

“I reached the third round here last year and I think I can go far this year as well.”