UFO Info Week-End

If I ever walked through the gates and it didn’t mean something then it would be

If I ever walked through the gates and it didn’t mean something, then it would be time to do something about it.”The fact that Wimbledon’s hill where the overspill public congregate has been named after him is the thing, he says, which makes him proudest of all about the place, though he stresses that the adulation and expectation are things he accepts rather than welcomes. “A lot of the other players have a lot of fun with it,” he adds. Last year, when Andre Agassi, Sampras and Marat Safin all lost on the same day, one front page said: “No pressure Tim, but if you choke this year we will never forgive you”.”That was stuck on the walls of the locker room and the players were reading it in amazement,” Henman says. “They were just as amazed as I was, but what can I do about it?” Henman professes lack of concern about the “nearly man” critics. “If it is people’s perception that I be judged on whether I win Wimbledon or not, then that’s up to them. It doesn’t worry me, because I know how I feel about it.”I have no complaints about three of my semi-final losses.

If you ask why I lost to Sampras twice, it was because Sampras was better than me I have no complaints about losing to Hewitt last year But Ivanisevic was different two years ago. That one doesn’t sit particularly well with me, purely because of the nature of the match.”I won the third set in 14 minutes, I think, and lost only four points and was 2-1 up in the fourth, and certainly the momentum was in my favour. At that stage you are putting nails in the coffin, saying: ‘I am going to stamp my authority on this fourth set and finish you off’.”Then, of course, came the rain delays, which afforded Ivanisevic a breather and the opportunity to reassess, and eventually to win in five sets. “The nature of that match was the most difficult I have had to play in my career,” says Henman. “I played five sets and a couple of tie-breaks and I lost my serve just twice in five sets.”If that defeat still lives with him, Tim readily admits he deserves criticism for his record in the other Grand Slams. He has never been beyond the fourth round at the Australian or US Opens, and never past the third at the French. “That’s where I would put question marks against myself.”As someone who is closing in on his 29th birthday, Henman knows the clock is ticking, though he shrugs aside thoughts that his best may now be behind him.

Citing the case of Andre Agassi, still playing beautifully at 33, he says: “If I can stay healthy, there is no reason why I can’t play another five years at the top.”And the way he puts it, with a broad smile, you have to hope Tim Henman will give us five more years. Plus a Wimbledon title.Biography: Timothy Henry HenmanBorn: 6 September 1974 in Oxford.Family: Wife Lucy, daughter Rose.Height: 1.85m. Weight: 77kg.Singles titles: (9) – Sydney, Tashkent (1997); Basel, Tashkent (1998); Brighton, Vienna (2000); Basel, Copenhagen (2001); Adelaide (2002) Doubles titles: 3 Earnings: $8m.Background: Began playing at two. Grandfather Henry Billington competed at Wimbledon, great- grandmother Ellen Stawell Brown was first lady to serve overarm at Wimbledon in 1901 Supports Oxford Utd Member of British Davis Cup team since 1994 Since 2001 has been coached by Larry Stefanki..