Djokovic absence would not affect GB selection - Smith

Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith says Andy Murray's participation in the quarter-final will not depend on whether Novak Djokovic features for Serbia.

Murray inspired GB to Davis Cup triumph last year - their first since 1936 - winning every one of his 11 rubbers en route to clinching glory against Belgium.

Neither Murray nor Djokovic has confirmed either way whether they will represent their respective nations in the last-eight meeting in July.

The tie comes after busy clay and grass-court seasons, prior to the Olympics, as both men contend with congested schedules.

But even the absence of world number one Djokovic would not alter GB's plans in any way, insists Smith.

"The important thing is that we don't really concern ourselves with what the Serbian team do because we can't affect that," he told Omnisport.

"Let's see how this clay-court season goes. If all goes well, Andy comes out fit and healthy and he's ready to play for the team then that's what we're hoping to do.

"It [Murray's selection] wouldn't be on anything else apart from how he feels, and would totally disregard what they're doing with their own team.

"If Novak doesn't play, that's fantastic for us because it greatly increases our chances.

"The best thing to do is prepare for their strongest team and assume they have a full compliment of players. We wouldn't change too much to be honest, and just collate all the information we can.

"We'd analyse it, but the whole world knows Novak Djokovic and there's not many weaknesses there. But Andy's played him so many times, we'd form a tactical layout of how we'd approach that.

"But the other players, we'd go through two, three, four, five, six and even seven and get as much information as possible. I'll go watch them across the clay-court season and start making observations."