Injured veteran Wayne Arthurs is in doubt for the Australian Open, but the nation's No.2 singles player is confident he will be fit for next month's Davis Cup clash with Roger Federer's Switzerland.

Arthurs sustained a slight tear in his right calf during Australia's 2-1 Hopman Cup loss to Germany on Saturday and has been replaced in the $1 million mixed teams tournament by Todd Reid.

Reid, who has plummeted to No.385 in the rankings, flew to Perth and will partner Samantha Stosur for the remainder of the event at the Burswood Dome.

It's the second time in as many months Arthurs, who turns 35 on March 18, has injured his calf.

Australia's second ranked singles player at No.97, Arthurs is "hopeful" of recovering in time for the year's first grand slam in Melbourne.

"I'm pretty sure, well very hopeful, that I'll be right for the Australian Open," he said.

"It's a smaller tear than the other one.

"It took three weeks for the other one to heal."

Arthurs will head to Melbourne in the next day or so to begin intense treatment with Australian Open physio Ivan Gutierrez.

If fit, Arthurs is an automatic selection for Australia's extremely tricky World Group first round Davis Cup tie against Switzerland from February 10-12, alongside world No.4 Lleyton Hewitt.

But his absence would leave a major hole in the team, with Mark Philippoussis' availability unknown.

Arthurs nominated doubles teammate Paul Hanley, world No.145 Peter Luczak or big-serving Victorian Chris Guccione as his likely successor.

But Arthurs, who helped Australia win the Davis Cup in 2003, has already put his hand up for selection.

"It's going to be a tough tie," he said.

"It's going to be interesting to see who we pick.

"I put myself in there. I haven't heard anything from (Philippoussis), other than he's playing Adelaide."

Arthurs said earlier this week retirement wasn't in his thoughts and he now re-assesses his career every six months.

Despite being beyond the age when most tennis players retire, Arthurs had somewhat of a breakthrough year in 2005, winning his first singles title in Scottsdale and qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup with Hanley.

"Is my best tennis behind me? I don't know," he said.

"I thought it was probably two years ago, then I won a tournament last year.

"You never know and have to stay positive."

Arthurs has a busy schedule ahead, including the birth of his first child in March with his partner Caroline.

He is also expecting a hostile reception in Geneva for the Davis Cup tie against Federer's Switzerland, complete with the cow bells that traditionally accompany Swiss tennis events.

"Roger and his mates will be firing up I'm sure," Arthurs said.

"Hopefully my brother will be out there.

"He lives in Switzerland. I'll get him to bring a really big bell."

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