The tournament, which starts on January 6, has received just 88 entries.

Entries close in two days.

The cup, which was first held in 2002, attracted 455 of the world’s most talented junior players and their families to the Border last January, with a host of international youngsters from countries as far away as Japan, France and Indonesia staying, eating and shopping in Albury-Wodonga during last year’s event.

More than 300 nominations came in the week after the deadline for entry.

But under new Tennis Australia guidelines, which come into play on January 1, no entries can be accepted after the closing date.

Shanahan believes the Border’s biggest tennis tournament will become the “test guinea pig” for Tennis Australia’s new system.

“We’re certainly concerned about it,” Shanahan said.

“Look, the new system has got an incredible amount of merit and it’s there to help with the seedings and organisation of tournaments, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

“If the entries don’t improve it won’t hurt just us, but the town and region.

“As everyone knows, it’s a busy time of year and I’m not really sure if the message has got out that entries need to be in by Friday.

“We just hope that our tournament isn’t the one they all learn from.”

In a further blow to the cup’s international reputation, the Japanese squad that attended this year’s tournament has been forced to withdraw.

“Their travel plans didn’t work out,” Shanahan said.

“Hiro (Japanese coach Hiroyuki Kojima) couldn’t quite get the team organised in time.

“It’s a real shame, their players are of a very high standard.”

An American squad was also set to attend the tournament for the first time next month, however it has postponed its trip to the Border until 2013.