Murray splits with coach Gilbert

LONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) British number one Andy Murray has split from coach Brad Gilbert, the player confirmed today.

''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,'' Murray, who began working with the American last July, said in a statement on the Lawn Tennis Association Web site (www.lta.org.uk).

''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.'' It is not clear if Gilbert, whose 750,000 pounds salary is paid by the LTA, will continue working for the British governing body as performance director.

''We are currently reviewing the situation in relation to Brad and will look to make a decision in the near future,'' said chief executive Roger Draper.

Gilbert, who previously worked with Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, helped Murray break into the world's top 10 this year.

The Scot won two ATP titles under Gilbert's guidance and reached three other finals.

REUTERS RAR BD2300