Andy Murray revealed this month his intention to travel with an entourage next year, which may have been the key factor in the breakdown of his relationship with Brad Gilbert. “I’m the sort of guy who likes a lot of people around me,” he said.

“Sometimes when it’s just one-on-one with the coach, it can get quite stressful and stale.” As a result, his court-side support team has been bulging of late and he will attack the 2008 season en masse. Patricio Apey, Murray’s agent, is an ever-present in the Scot’s corner but it is Carlos Mier, a friend of Murray’s from the Sánchez-Casal academy in Barcelona, who spends the most time with him behind the scenes. An unofficial hitting partner, Mier is there to ensure that Murray spends time with someone his own age in the players’ lounge. He has travelled with Murray for the past six months and has a blog on the British No 1’s website.

Judy Murray, Andy’s mother, coached him as a child and as the former national coach in Scotland, carries a certain amount of kudos into the clan. She is now the talent performance manager at the LTA but the role is flexible, so we can expect to see more of her next year.

The emergence of Jamie as a leading doubles player has enabled the brothers to spend more time together on the tour. Jamie, ranked No 32, is now getting into top events and has played with Andy at four tournaments this year.

Leon Smith, a compatriot who coached Andy in his formative years, probably knows his game better than anyone and is a provider of much positive energy, as is Kim Sears, Andy’s girlfriend of two years, who travels with him when her university drama course allows.

Who needs Brad?