Mark Cox has tipped Brad Gilbert to make Andy Murray the best player in the world.

Cox was in the last British team to reach the Davis Cup final in 1978 and was in Eastbourne last weekend when Murray and the Great Britain team slumped to a miserable 3-2 defeat against Israel at Devonshire Park.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus, Cox said: "Andy has done well to get to No.35 in the world but Gilbert can help him take that next step.

"Someone of Brad Gilbert's knowledge, experience and insight into the game can impact enormously on Andy Murray.

"If the profile, prestige and authority within the game that Brad brings can be utilised, it can make Andy the top player in the world.

"I get the impression that Andy needs to have someone of great stature for him to instantly listen. That is an important compo-nent."

Murray, it would seem, is in for a hard time with the no-nonsense Gilbert as his mentor.

He will focus on making Murray "physically stronger" in his first year.

Gilbert's acclaimed manual 'Winning Ugly' taught lesser players how to use mental strength to overcome more naturally talented opponents.

He said: "There's no magic pill to take that makes you a better player. Andy needs to become physically stronger and over the next year that will be a big focus for us.

"He needs to be more hardened if he wants to be a really successful professional player. All you have to do is to look at Rafael Nadal. He has set the fitness bar to a new level for the other guys."

Cox, who manages the LTA's high performance centres, says Gilbert, who coached Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick in the past, will "inject a lot of energy" into British tennis.

He said: "Brad can impact on our coaches who are working in all the age groups and the 11 high performance centres around the country. His presence can raise the profile of performance play. He can inject a lot of energy. He can also improve standards in coaching and education.

"The game is moving forward very quickly and the standard is getting higher. Brad can make people appreciate what needs to be done to reach these high levels."

Cox, also a spokesperson for the Tropicana British Tour for budding domestic professionals, has tipped former Cup team-mate John Lloyd to succeed Jeremy Bates as captain.

Bates quit after defeat against Israel plunged Britain into a European/African Group One relegation play-off in the Ukraine in September.

Cox said: "There are not many obvious candidates.

"Andrew Castle is involved heavily in the media. David Lloyd has done it before but is tied up with an academy project with the LTA and I'm coming up for retirement!

"John has been mentioned. He was a coach when his brother was in charge.

"He has a lot of experience of playing Davis Cup. He is a rational and sensible bloke, a good communicator and keen to develop our younger players.

"He lives in America and would have to spend more time over here.

"I was surprised Jeremy quit. I felt if he had lost in the Ukraine he might have gone.

"But it was his decision. I know from sitting opposite him how hard he worked. It was around the clock. It took a lot out of him emotionally."

Roger Draper, chief executive of the LTA said of Gilbert's arrival: "We promised a new approach to coaching and I am confident Brad will bring that to the LTA.

"He has a world-class track record and will play a central role in helping improve our performance and success from elite players like Andy, through to our up-and-coming talent."

Murray said: "While growing up, Agassi was one of the players I looked up to so I am delighted to now have Brad as my coach."