Davis Cup final: Belgium on high alert for Great Britain clash

For many -- especially fans arriving from the UK on the Eurostar train or by air -- going through Brussels to reach Ghent would have been the first option.

The Brussels region "will remain at the highest state of alert for terrorism until November 30," warned the British government on its website, assessing that the threat of a terrorist attack as both "serious" and "imminent." Outside Brussels, the danger drops one to Level 3, "a possible and real threat." 

Belgium has already had to cancel an international football friendly with Spain -- scheduled for November 17 in Brussels -- due to security concerns, and two games in its top soccer division were postponed last weekend since the required security personnel couldn't be moved from the capital. 

Manuel Mugica Gonzalez, a spokesman for Ghent police, told CNN that extra security measures would be in place for the three-day tennis final. 

Armed police will be present at the entrance to the venue -- expected to welcome 13,000 spectators per day -- and in parking areas, while plainclothes officers will be inside the stadium during matches, he said.

Police sniffer dogs will be in operation and fans won't be allowed to take bags to their seats. 

Amid the climate of uncertainty, Great Britain delayed its weekend departure to Ghent -- a spokesman for the UK's Lawn Tennis Association told the Daily Telegraph it was because courts weren't available to be used by the team until Monday -- and when it did make the journey, took the unusual step for such a short trek of using a private jet to bypass Brussels.

Private jets are another perk of being a tennis player when a governing body; in this case the LTA, has huge funds.

But England's four-time Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman, a father to three daughters, canceled his trip. He had intended to go by train and take his family. 

"I just thought, 'Is it really worth the hassle for them?'" he told the Times newspaper

"So we are going to be watching at home." 

The standout player of the tie, Britain's Andy Murray, told reporters this week that everything seemed "fine" in Ghent.

"It was a bit concerning a few days ago," the world No. 2 said. "Once we got here and got into the hotel, came to the venue and saw what it was like here, I think that made everyone a lot more comfortable.

"But it's a different situation in Brussels than it is here. I know a lot of fans were staying there and planning on traveling through there. Obviously listen to the right people if you're doing that.

"I hope as many fans travel over as possible to give us the best support. Obviously I understand if people make another decision because of what's happening in Brussels."