Henman set to confirm retirement

 

Henman will soon be out of the world top 100

 

Tim Henman is expected to confirm he is calling time on his career at a news conference in New York on Thursday. Britain's Davis Cup tie against Croatia from 21-23 September is set to be the 32-year-old's final competitive outing.

The British number two and former world number four is currently preparing for the US Open, which begins next week.

Henman, whose wife is expecting their third child, has won just three matches on the ATP tour this season and is struggling with a back problem.

 

Interview: British tennis boss Roger Draper

Report: Retirement looms for Henman

His injury forced him to pull out of this week's New Haven warm-up event ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year at Flushing Meadows.

My focus at the moment is to try to get my back sorted out and then to take it from there

 

 

Tim Henman

 

BBC tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend told BBC Radio 5live Drive: "His ongoing back complaint has hastened this decision - not unexpected, it has to be said."

Henman voiced his frustrations on his website, saying: "I still really enjoy practising and training and also playing matches.

"It's just that my body has struggled to cope with what I've been asking it to do in the past couple of years."

The world number 92, who is set to drop out of the top 100 in the next few weeks, has not entered any tournaments beyond the Davis Cup.

Henman added: "Having a family has certainly changed the way I look at the world and also to a certain extent my priorities in life, but I would not go so far as to say that it has diminished my hunger for the game.

"I'm not fully fit, so my focus at the moment is to try to get my back sorted out and then to take it from there."

606: DEBATE

I hope Tim gets the credit he deserves

 

 

StuartCVL

 

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.

End of Henmania as 'Tiger Tim' quits tennis

 

Last updated at 17:46pm on 23rd August 2007 Comments

Henman and another classic 'Tiger Tim' fist pump

 

Tim Henman today revealed ongoing injury problems and the chance to spend more time with his family were the major reasons behind his decision to retire from tennis.

The 32-year-old confirmed the news in a press conference in New York this afternoon, announcing he will call time on his 13-year career after next month's Great Britain v Croatia Davis Cup tie at Wimbledon.

Henman said: "I am going to be retiring after the Davis Cup tie against Croatia at Wimbledon.

"From a professional point of view, it's something I've been thinking about for some time."

Henman, who reached the semi-final of Wimbledon four times as well as reaching the last four in both the French Open and US Open, said of his back problems: "It's made my life a little bit harder, a little bit less enjoyable.

He added: "With our third child on the way, there's an even bigger incentive to be at home.

"It certainly gets harder and harder to be away from your family."

Henman revealed he planned to continue his involvement in tennis after taking a year or two off.

"It's not necessarily the end of things for me," he said.

"It's a new beginning and I'd like to feel there's going to be a lot of new opportunities out there for me and lots of new things to explore.

"If it's next year or the year after, I'll look at what's out there. I'm sure that will involve tennis.

"It's been such a good part of my life."

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Henman says goodbye to his beloved Centre Court at Wimbledon

 

Henman admitted he had intended to play at Wimbledon one last time but that his fitness problems had made it a goal that was not worth chasing.

He said on Sky Sports News: "I think I probably did hope to play at Wimbledon next year but I think when I started practising again on hard courts, the way I felt helped it become a little more clear cut for me.

"Playing in that pain and the problem in my back made it an uphill battle and one that was getting harder and harder.

"For the level I've played and the things I have been able to achieve in tennis, I didn't want to keep plugging away for the limited rewards it looked like I would be getting."

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Tim Henman and his wife Lucy pose with their first child, Rose Elizabeth. Henman has left tennis to spend more time with his family

 

He added: "For me to hang around for nine months just play at Wimbledon for the sake of it doesn't appeal.

"I'm sure if I was asked 'do I want to go back and play Wimbledon one last time?' I really feel the simple answer is 'no'."

Henman then addressed his Wimbledon record, saying: "My record is good at Wimbledon but it was always a goal of mine to win the tournament.

"Am I disappointed I didn't win it? Yes I am. But when I reflect on my career, I was always able to maximise my potential.

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Tim Henman kisses ballgirl Caroline Hall after presenting her with a bunch of flowers. Henman became the first player to be thrown out of Wimbledon after striking the ball in anger, which hit Caroline on the ear.

 

"This was as good as I could have been.

"I played some of my best tennis at Wimbledon and that's something I'll always be proud of.

"Regarding Wimbledon and the press, I'd be the first to admit that I'd probably be judged on whether I won Wimbledon or not. I don't think that's right."

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Henman lifts the trophy after winning the Australian men's Hardcourt Championships in Adelaide, 2002

 

Asked if he would change anything about his career, Henman spoke of the 2001 Wimbledon semi-final, where he lost a rain-plagued contest against Goran Ivanisevic.

He said: "If I could change circumstances, against Goran I would ask it not to rain.

"I don't necessarily have regrets. I would do lots of things differently but that's hindsight."

Henman is confident British tennis has a bright future, especially in the shape of Andy Murray.

"At the beginning of the year he was definitely playing top-five tennis and that was cut short by injury," he said.

"With both Greg (Rusedski) and I going to retire, it's certainly an end of an era from that point of view.

No one seems to care about poor little tiger Tim. He used to be quite good about 7 or 8 years ago, but the game has moved on.

Can't really see people getting excited about this andy murray fellow. He's a lot boring.

No one seems to care about poor little tiger Tim. He used to be quite good about 7 or 8 years ago, but the game has moved on.

Can't really see people getting excited about this andy murray fellow. He's a lot boring.

 

No more boring than most of the other current top players. Federer's a fantastic player, but he's not exactly Mr. Personality, is he?:rolleyes:

Andy Murray is far more talented than Henman was, and if he avoids injury, he has a genuine chance of being world number one and winning a slam one day.;)