Slovenia born Aljaz Bedene's attempt to overturn a ban stopping him representing Great Britain in the Davis Cup was snubbed by an independent arbitrator on Thursday.
Bedene, ranked 104th in the world, has been fighting to play for Britain since 2015 when the International Tennis Federation (ITF) introduced rules barring players from competing for two different countries.
The 27-year-old became a British citizen in March 2015, but because previously played for his native Slovenia, he has not been eligible for Leon Smith's side.
After appeals were turned down by the ITF and the ITF board, British No. 4 Bedene and the Lawn Tennis Association took the case to Sport Resolutions. But arbitrator Charles Hollander QC ruled in favour of the governing body.
In his judgement, Hollander said: "I have no doubt that his desire to settle in the UK has been genuine and that he has a genuine desire to play for Great Britain. I have the greatest sympathy for Mr Bedene and his predicament and consider that he has acted in good faith throughout."
Hollander expressed hope the ITF might reconsider its decision at some point in the future. "Of course it will be a matter for the ITF to decide whether such an application should succeed," he said.
"But I hope that the passage of time, and perhaps some mended fences with the STA (Slovenian Tennis Association), will be sufficient to persuade the ITF that Mr Bedene is a worthy candidate for an exemption."
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