Fed Cup holders France will be without world number two Amelie Mauresmo for this month's finals in Moscow, shortening the odds on a first title for Russia.
Mauresmo, who helped France beat the United States in last year's final and who topped the world rankings in September, said she wants to concentrate on the 2005 season.
Russia, with French Open champion Anastasia Myskina and U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova spearheading their team, are now overwhelming favourites.
"It's never easy to give up a chance to play for your national team but my aim now is to win a Grand Slam event and I want to prepare myself for 2005," said Mauresmo.
"There is a time in your career when tough choices are to be made if you want to aim at the top. I worked hard, maybe too hard to prepare for this season and for the previous one.
"I want to start the next one in the best possible physical shape. It's the reason why I have to withdraw."
Mauresmo's absence is a big blow for captain Guy Forget who has drafted Emilie Loit into the team that also includes the experienced Mary Pierce and Nathalie Dechy and teenager Tatiana Golovin.
France play Spain and Russia take on outsiders Austria in the semi-finals on November 24, with the winners facing off in the final the following day.
"Amelie informed Guy (Forget) late on Monday that she would not be able to be present in Moscow," said national team manager Jean-Claude Massias.
"Guy had a long discussion with Amelie to review her situation. She told him that she wanted to prepare carefully for the Australian Open scheduled in January," Massias added.
Forget could face further problems as Pierce said recently that she would not take part in the Fed Cup final if Mauresmo was missing.
Mauresmo, who has never won a Grand Slam title, was beaten by American Serena Williams in the semi-finals of the WTA championships on Sunday.
