Tim Henman to miss Davis Cup final in Ghent over security fears, but Great Britain team will travel on Monday

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Great Britain's Davis Cup team will leave for Belgium on Monday
Terror alert in Brussels was raised on Saturday to the highest level
The event will be watched by daily crowds of 13,000 spectators

Published: 17:36 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 05:51 EST, 23 November 2015

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Tim Henman has cancelled plans to go to Belgium this week and watch the Davis Cup final, but the Great Britain team are due to travel on Monday morning after delaying their departure for 24 hours.

Henman has decided to stay at home due to security fears over the match, taking place in Ghent. It is 40 miles away from Brussels, which been in near lockdown over the weekend.

The British team were due to leave on Sunday, but decided instead to take what is believed a private plane on Monday morning in preference to the Eurostar going through the capital.

Tim Henman has cancelled plans to go to Belgium this week and watch the Davis Cup final

Andy Murray and Co will practice in London on Sunday before heading to Belgium on Monday

It was announced on Saturday night that the terror alert in Brussels is to remain at the highest level, but elsewhere in places like Ghent it is rated as only a three.

The former British No 1 is unlikely to be the only supporter declining to make the journey, even though the match is set to go ahead with the Belgians opening up the freshly laid clay court in the Flanders Expo on Monday. The event will be watched by daily crowds of 13,000 spectators.

Henman, married with three daughters, explained his decision on Sunday night, saying: 'I was going to go but I am not going any more. I was going to take the three girls, I was going to go with my family. With the train and the going over there, I just thought: 'Is it really worth the hassle for them?' So we are going to be watching at home.'

He was travelling to a Davis Cup match in Ecuador when the 9/11 attacks happened and was diverted to Bermuda. He said the team would need to block out security issues.

Great Britain captain Leon Smith (left) and his team are taking advice from security teams ahead of their trip

'That's the way you have to do it. There is a certain amount of uncertainty with what's going on in Belgium with the shutdown over there. Only time will tell. But fingers crossed it will continue as normal. Because if it doesn't, it's a very difficult scenario.'

Instead of going over on Sunday, the British squad of five players led by Andy Murray, plus support staff, assembled at London's Queen's Club to practice on shale inside an inflated bubble. They are expected to test out the court in Ghent on Monday afternoon.

Judy Murray, mother of Britain's two key players, struck a defiant note when she told Belgium's La Derniere Heure newspaper: 'We have been following what has been going on and we have discussed it.

Soldiers stand guard in Brussels after the terror alert was raised to the highest level on Saturday

'Molenbeek isn't far from Ghent but that shouldn't stop us. We trust the security that has been organised. Everyone will be vigilant and we hope that the event will be a great success.'

Mary Pope, chair of the British Association of Tennis Supporters, said on Sunday night that their particular travel group of up to 150, was still intending to go.

'I've only heard from one person who is definitely not going,' she said. 'People are definitely concerned but we haven't cancelled our plans at this stage and are hoping to go.

'I think everyone is keeping an eye on the situation and there is some concern about travelling through Brussels. It's a case of wait and see, but we hope it goes ahead.'

The Belgium Davis Cup team pose for a photo before a press conference in Brussels this week

The British team will have a beefed up team of security provided by a private company that is thought to include former members of the SAS.

Brussels will keep its underground system, schools and universities closed on Monday, with Prime Minister Charles Michel warning that there was still a 'serious and imminent' threat of attacks, possibly at multiple locations.

British captain Leon Smith is said to have been leading the effort to co-ordinate with security officers and the Lawn Tennis Association, and is in charge of a party whose overall number is likely to be around 14, with all the support staff included.