The British number one, who meets another clay court specialist in Spaniard Albert Costa today, is playing his first tournament since his decision to end his professional relationship with his coach and friend David Felgate.

And Henman admitted: ‘‘I’m not thinking about it right now. I’m not playing for two weeks after this.

‘‘There will certainly be a time when I will consider all the options. Who knows who’s available, who knows who I want to work with?

‘‘I can’t predict what will happen but I certainly know that I need a coach. I don’t think there’s any perception from my point of view that I could just do this on my own.’’

Henman believes his no-holds-barred approach to playing on the surface, which also saw him produce one of his best-ever clay court wins against French specialist Fabrice Santoro in the first round, is paying off handsomely.

‘My expectations are less and I’m just going out there to give it my best shot,’’ he said.

‘I know I’ve got to take risks to succeed on this surface because I’m just not going to out-rally these guys.

‘But the choices I’m making are good choices and I don’t think the guys like having someone serve and volleying, which is what I’m doing.’’

Henman hit 30 winners against Gaudio, himself in the midst of the best season of his career, and pounced on every half-chance he was given.’’