Henman humbled

[Gazzla]

That Henman Hill crap always got on my tits as well, i wish some ****er would flatten it.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

He should retire and save what face he has left, he's become a joke

[Shaggy]

Tim Henman will retire from tennis "sooner rather than later", according to British tennis boss Roger Draper.

Draper, the chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, was responding to a report in the Times that Henman would announce his retirement next month.

"His agent Jan Felgate has said there's been no official confirmation but it's clear his career will end sooner rather than later," Draper said.

Henman has a back injury and has won just three tour matches this season.

The former world number four aims to play in this month's US Open before the Davis Cup match on 21 September, but has not entered any ATP tournaments beyond that.

He has slumped to 92 in the world rankings, and is set to drop out of the top 100 in the next few weeks.

"Tim's his own man. He's always made his own decisions," Draper said.

"He is very patriotric and is taking it a day at a time. He may fancy one more shot at Wimbledon next year, and only time will tell."

And BBC Radio 5live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend said Henman's actions had suggested for some time that retirement might be imminent.

"The clues were there a few weeks back when Henman settled on his American schedule and at the same time sorted out his priorities," Overend said.

"He decided to break with tradition and not set up base in the States ahead of the US Open.

"With a third child on the way, such a part-time schedule was appropriate.

"But with a ranking about to drift out of the top 100, and a back disorder that won't ever fully clear up, he knows part-time isn't enough."

That injury has forced Henman to pull out of next week's New Haven warm-up event ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year at Flushing Meadows, and he's also suffering from a bout of diarrohea.

"It's tough to concentrate on winning when I'm worrying about my bottom. My back is also a worry so I want to try and get it right as soon as possible," Henman said.

"My goal now is to try and get as much treatment on it as possible before the start of the US Open."

Henman has reached six Grand Slam semi-finals, including four at Wimbledon, and got closest to winning the title when he lost an epic semi-final to wildcard Goran Ivanisevic.

In 2003, Henman claimed a prestigious Master Series title in Paris, to complete his array of 11 titles.

[Joe King]

If there ever was a player that should pack it in, it's Henman. He's guaranteed to get a job on the bbc for commentating at Wimbledon, so he'll be fine.

Who'd want to hear his toff voice? Its bad enough listening to Rusedski but this guy would be horrible

[thesilverfoxlfc]

He has become a joke.

Get out and save some face Tim

[anfieldanfield]

He has become a joke.

Get out and save some face Tim

Yes, being in the top 100 in your profession worldwide, what an absolute disgrace this man is.

[Neil Young]

Good point, AA.

His demeanour is very difficult to warm to in a sportsperson but he was a pretty good tennis player.

It's a shame he's dead. RIP.

[Red_Al_77]

I don't really understand the animosity to Henman.

He is clearly in decline but he used to be a good player and has been the only half decent British player until Murray for a very long time.

Alot of people clearly don't like him because of his upbringing which is ridiculous. The way he speaks is irrelevant. At the end of the day Henman has been our most successful male tennis player in the last 30yrs with 11 titles and 5 grand slam semis. He was ranked 4th in the world and has beaten Federer more times than anyone else bar Nadal. Unfortunately in this country we have a tendency to knock achievers. Good luck to him in his retirement.

[Pacman]

Yes, being in the top 100 in your profession worldwide, what an absolute disgrace this man is.

Well said matey

[Neil Young]

Alot of people clearly don't like him because of his upbringing which is ridiculous. The way he speaks is irrelevant. At the end of the day Henman has been our most successful male tennis player in the last 30yrs with 11 titles and 5 grand slam semis. He was ranked 4th in the world and has beaten Federer more times than anyone else bar Nadal. Unfortunately in this country we have a tendency to knock achievers. Good luck to him in his retirement.

I really don't agree. You can admire someone for their achievements alone but that doesn't mean you like them. Their personality or at least how they come across in public is an important factor.

I also don't think the 'build 'em up/knock 'em down' cliché holds as frequently as people make out.

Henman was intensely frustrating to watch. This was exacerbated to a substantial degree by the way the media built him up at the start of every Wimbledon but, all the same, he never seemed to have the mettle to go with his obvious talent with a racquet in his hand. He was surely as talented as someone like Hewitt, and probably more so, but which one won a grand slam?

[Shaggy]

Good point, AA.

His demeanour is very difficult to warm to in a sportsperson but he was a pretty good tennis player.

It's a shame he's dead. RIP.

[Red_Al_77]

I really don't agree. You can admire someone for their achievements alone but that doesn't mean you like them. Their personality or at least how they come across in public is an important factor.

I also don't think the 'build 'em up/knock 'em down' cliché holds as frequently as people make out.

Henman was intensely frustrating to watch. This was exacerbated to a substantial degree by the way the media built him up at the start of every Wimbledon but, all the same, he never seemed to have the mettle to go with his obvious talent with a racquet in his hand. He was surely as talented as someone like Hewitt, and probably more so, but which one won a grand slam?

Unfortunately people don't see past the accent, or the raised fist etc etc and just look at what he's achieved. Was it his fault the media built him up so much. He has been a victim of expectation in a country starved of a successful tennis player. His achievements should be applauded not derided. I've seen comments associated with him such as crap tennis, choker etc etc. They are utter bollocks. People only have to look no further than his Masters win and who he beat to see he was a very good tennis player. Granted he didn't win grand slams but to say he underachieved belittles the talents of others. Also talent alone does not come into it. Look at the likes of Leconte etc Outrageously talented but never really hit the top.

Henman never had a great serve. Perhaps he reached the heights in the game his talents demanded. The fact that he lost on each occasion to the eventual grand slam winners in those semis is telling. He just wasn't good enough. But he shouldn't be lambasted for that. I'll bet no one would turn down the money he earned. He was successful but not to the degree of some others.

[Neil Young]

I really don't see it that way. I think you're not allowing enough room for a middle ground between "Henman was really good" and "Henman was crap".

As for 'belittling the talents of others" I think that entirely misses the point. Henman had limitations (as do we all) which in his case means that he never truly reached the very top. Not many do, true. He got further than many, true. But we're not measuring him against the likes of you and me, we're measuring him as a top tennis player against other top tennis players. That's to his credit of course but in that comparison he also comes up wanting.

So he was really good but also just lacking that bit extra. That's not a criticism of him personally but an analysis of his record.

I agree that the ire often directed towards him is unnecessary of course.

[tommyg]

92 in the world now


give it up already tim

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Yes, being in the top 100 in your profession worldwide, what an absolute disgrace this man is.

Thats not a fair point, you have to admit that he has become somewhat a joke on the tour for the player he was a number of years ago. He's one something like 5 matches all year now it that Top 100 form???....no it isnt