Turbulent times for Henman and Rusedski

Rudeski and Henman have dumped their coaches

There are pros and cons to Greg Rusedski ditching his coach with Wimbledon just around the corner, BBC tennis correspondent Iain Carter argues.

Another week and Britain's other top talent ditches his coach; these are turbulent times indeed in British tennis.

Within six days of Tim Henman and David Felgate deciding they had gone as far as they could, news came that Greg Rusedski had parted company with Pat Cash.

But Rusedski's split with Cash bears little relation to Henman's break-up with Felgate.

When it comes to hiring and firing coaches Rusedski is in the Ken Bates category; his Davis Cup team-mate is more in tune with the philosophies that pervade at Ipswich Town.

Fragile body

Rusedski's relationship with Cash yielded spectacular results - one tournament win and three victories over world number ones inside three months.

But the departure of the former Wimbledon champion from his back-up team is unlikely to be a big deal.

Cash's biggest contribution was to put the injury prone big serving left hander in touch with bio-mechanist Brad Langervad, who then re-modelled the Rusedski action.

He was therefore able to play tennis in a way that would make him less likely to damage his fragile body.

Money dispute

Langervad has been the constant.

Cash spent time with Rusedski in training at the end of last year and during the Australian Open, while the rest of their relationship has been largely conducted over the phone.

Rusedski has always been willing to buy the best advice, but has always had a sharp eye for value for money.

The initial deal with Cash did not involve monetary reward; the Australian saw more benefit in the positive publicity Rusedski could provide for his unconventional methods.

After that initial period and the results achieved in that time, the subject of money was brought up.

Know-how

According to Rusedski, Cash unreasonably wanted 10% of all future prize money and so the relationship was brought to a halt.

At 27, Rusedski knows time is running out in his quest for a first Grand Slam title, so to ditch a former Wimbledon champion is a gamble.

But he clearly believes Langervad can provide what's needed without Cash's input. The 1997 US Open finalist's bet is that so long as he is able to stay fit he already has the know-how to succeed.

We will not truly be able to judge the merits of this decision and Henman's split with Felgate until the red clay has been dusted from their shoes and the grass court season begins.

Perspective

Then Britain's top two will be shouldering their customary burden of Wimbledon expectation.

The turbulent events of the past week will be out into proper perspective by the choice of whom to share it with and the success - or otherwise - they experience.

With whom they have chosen to share it and the success or otherwise they experience will put the turbulent events of the last week into their proper perspective.