Murray splits with Gilbert

British number one Andy Murray has officially parted company with his coach Brad Gilbert.

British No.1 parts company with coach

British number one Andy Murray has officially parted company with his coach Brad Gilbert. Under the guidance of Gilbert, Murray climbed from 36th in the world to a career-high of eighth, before injury saw his ranking slip. However, with the relationship becoming increasingly strained, Murray has opted to end his 18-month association with the American. In a statement, Murray revealed: "Despite being injured for almost four months this year, I am pleased with my 2007 results and am very grateful for the help that the LTA have given me by providing Brad Gilbert as a coach but the time has come to move on to the next stage of my career. "I am ranked 11 in the world and can now afford to pay my own way and so will now hire a team of experts, each to fulfil a specified role in the development of my tennis and fitness." Gilbert was hired by the Lawn Tennis Association in 2006 and was being paid a reported £750,000 salary in a three-year deal. Whether Gilbert will continue working with the LTA has yet to be announced, although the former mentor to Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick seems more likely to wait for an opportunity to coach one of the world;s leading players.