Australia's Billie Jean King Cup hopes have taken a hit before a ball has even been hit, with newly-crowned world No.1 doubles star Storm Hunter caught up in a scheduling drama.
Hunter is in extreme doubt for Australia's opening tie at the "World Cup of tennis" after the rain-marred WTA Finals ran a day over time.
It was not immediately clear if Hunter was able to catch a flight from Cancun to Spain after losing her semi-final on Sunday (Monday AEDT) with Belgian Elise Mertens.
Even if she did, the 29-year-old would only arrive in Seville hours before Australia's clash with Slovenia on Tuesday.
Teammate Ellen Perez has already been ruled out after making the delayed doubles final in Mexico with American Nicole Melichar-Martinez which will be played on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).
Her absence, and Hunter's potential unavailability, has left Australia captain Alicia Molik with limited doubles options.
At least one and possibly two of her singles picks out of Kim Birrell, Daria Saville and the returning Ajla Tomljanovic will have to back up for the doubles.
Hunter is no stranger to such troubles, having performed heroically for Molik last year to lead Australia to the final of the prestigious teams' event formerly known as the Fed Cup for only the second time since 1993.
Despite also arriving at the 11th hour last year, the modern-day left-handed "Rockhampton Rocket" won two of her matches in both singles and doubles, including posting a victory over top-20 star Mertens.
Molik will no doubt be banking on Hunter riding on adrenaline whenever she lands in Spain, having secured the world No.1 doubles ranking with a her charge to the semi-finals in Cancun.
The Queenslander has usurped co-No.1s Jessica Pegula and US Open singles champion Coco Gauff from top spot.
Ranked as the No.2 women's nation after losing the 2022 final to eventual champions Switzerland, Australia face Kazakhstan in their second group fixture on Thursday.
The 12 teams at this year's finals have been split into four groups of three, with only the pool winners advancing from the round-robin stage to Saturday's semi-finals.
The final will take place on Sunday.
Seven-time champions Australia haven't lifted the trophy since 1974 with the great Evonne Goolagong Cawley leading the way.