Tim Henman yesterday ruled himself out of joining Andy Murray's support team, but backed the Scot over his decision to part ways with American coach Brad Gilbert.

With Murray now hoping to hire a whole raft of experts to work on specific areas of his game, the recently-retired Henman had been mooted as one source of learning for the current world No.11.

But the 33-year-old, who was replaced as British No.1 by the young Scot, said: "If you are going to do something like that, there is a lot of travel involved and that's something I'm enjoying not doing anymore."

Henman, however, is sure Murray's rapid rise is set to continue, despite the removal of highly-rated coach Gilbert as his mentor.

"That's the nature of the beast. These things happen in an individual sport when you are working so closely in an environment," added Henman, who was yesterday playing a charity game against three-time Wimbledon champion Stefan Edberg for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.

"Sometimes the lifespan of these relationships is not so long. But I think they did a good job together.

"They had a great run and it's important to focus on the positives they were able to achieve. Andy's made a decision he wants to go in a different direction, and, as your own boss, that's your prerogative.

"He's now going to assemble the people around him and hopefully move forward from there."

Henman believes that Alex Bogdanovic, the British No.2 who has struggled to fulfil his potential, could be the major beneficiary of the Murray-Gilbert fall-out.

The Lawn Tennis Association-funded Gilbert will now be spending much more time working with Bogdanovic, and Henman said: "With Alex, it certainly isn't about his tennis ability.

"He strikes the ball better than many players on the main tour but the areas where he needs the biggest improvement are mentally and physically and I know Brad is going to be on his case in a big way.

"Brad's knowledge and motivation could be of enormous benefit to Alex."

Henman - who is happy to be splitting his newly-acquired spare time between the golf course and his three young daughters since ending his career after Great Britain's Davis Cup victory over Croatia in September - admitted he is in no hurry to return to tennis.

The Englishman revealed he has fended off approaches from the LTA to become involved in player development and said: "I've been asked about it but I'm trying to put off any decision-making for as long as I can.

"I am very much enjoying not having the structure in my life and having a very empty diary."

But an eventual return to the sport appears to be inevitable. "I'm sure that will wear off," added Henman. "I would like to think I'll be involved in tennis in some way, shape or form in the future but I'm not sure in what capacity at the moment."