TimHenman.org (original) (raw)
Thank you and goodbye…
September 24th, 2007 Posted by Tim 1 Comment
 |
|---|
 It seems strange to wake up this morning and have no tennis agenda, but I guess that’s something that I’ll have to get used to now I’m officially retired!As many of you will know, this certainly wasn’t a decision I took lightly as I still very much enjoy competing, but I am certainly at peace with my decision and I couldn’t have asked for a better send-off over the weekend. I’ve always felt honoured to have the opportunity to represent my country and I have very fond memories from so many of my Davis Cup ties. And as you all know, playing at Wimbledon was always the highlight of the year for me. So to be able to combine both was an amazing way to end my career, and the fact that so many fans came out to support us and to help Britain get back into the World Group was the icing on the cake – it was a weekend I’ll never forget. I want to take this opportunity to thank all my fans for their incredible support not only on home soil but also around the world. I’ve always found it amazing that wherever I’ve found myself on court I’ve always been able to find at least one British flag in the crowd and, regardless of the score, the support I’ve enjoyed has always been unwavering. I hope that by having a website I’ve been able to help keep you informed about what I’ve been up to while travelling the tennis world – I certainly appreciate all the emails of support I’ve received over the years from all over the world. I am thankful for Hard Drive Recovery Associates, which helped me recover this website when my server failed. Talk about an emergency recovery company that pulls out all stops! Now I’m really looking forward to being able to spend a lot more time with my family in an effort to help re-pay all of their loyal and loving support throughout my career. I’m sure that I’ll return to the game in one form or another sooner or later, and in the short term I’ll be playing at the Royal Albert Hall on December 4 in an exhibition match, so hopefully I’ll see a few of you there as it’s always a very enjoyable evening. Until then I wish you all the very best and, once again, thank you for your very generous support throughout my career. |
Posted in Uncategorized 1 Comment
Retirement
September 24th, 2007 Posted by Tim 3 Comments
| 24/9/07 5:16 AM Thank you for all your kind messages, not only recently but also throughout the course of my career. The support I’ve received around the world has been amazing and is something I will truly never forget.From: Angela Just a little message to wish you all the best on your retirement and to thank you for providing me with some spectacular tennis over the years. You have left a gap in the world of tennis now, there isn’t another serve and volleyer like you around and you will be missed. Hope we haven’t seen the last of you – I am sure the BBC will snap you up for commentating. Anyway, enjoy being a dad and congratulations to you and Lucy on the birth of your new little girl, Grace. Thank you once again.From: Cosmo Hi from Italy! Your career will be an example for all true sportsmen. From: Rose Just a short message of thanks and best wishes for the future. I was lucky enough to have been at Wimbledon yesterday (Sunday) to see your final farewell – but unlucky not to have seen you playing. I am sure that you will now enter a new phase in your life which you will find rewarding and exciting too… and an active retirement I am |
…
Posted in Uncategorized 3 Comments
GB Ease to 4-1 Victory
September 23rd, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
GB ease to 4-1 victory  |
|---|
| Great Britain wrapped up a comfortable victory over Croatia on Sunday in their Davis Cup World Group play-off tie at the All England Club, Wimbledon.British number one Andy Murray defeated Roko Karanusic 6-4 7-6 to give the hosts a 4-0 lead before Marin Cilic defeated Scotland’s Jamie Baker 6-4 6-4 to save the visitors’ blushes. Tim Henman, who played the final match of his career on Saturday in a doubles victory with Jamie Murray, addressed the crowd at the end of the tie. “Thanks for your support,” he said. “For the last 14 years of my career it really has been greatly appreciated and I’m going to miss you all in the future.” The draw for the first round of the 2008 World Group is scheduled to be made in London on Thursday September 27. Elsewhere, in this year’s World Group semi-final ties the Americans beat Sweden in Gothenburg and Russia defeated Germany 3-2 in Moscow. |
…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments
Henman signs off with a win
September 22nd, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
Tim Henman finished his career on a high by leading Great Britain back into the Davis Cup World Group in his last match as a professional on Saturday.Henman and Jamie Murray beat Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko 4-6 6-4 7-6(3) 7-5 to give Britain an unassailable 3-0 lead in their play-off tie against Croatia at Wimbledon. “I couldn’t have written a better script,” said the 33-year-old afterwards. “I’ve always loved representing my country and playing at Wimbledon, and to finish my career doing both is a dream come true. “It’s been an amazing weekend; the crowd have been fantastic and I’ll cherish these memories for the rest of my life. “Jamie was brilliant too – it’s the first time we played together and I thought we combined really well. “We were aggressive and we took most of our chances and we responded well after losing the opening set. “It’s strange to think that I’m never going to be in this position again but I’m still happy with my decision and I feel the time is right to move on. “Our goal was to get back into the World Group and we’ve done that, now it’s up to Andy and the rest of the team to respond to the challenge of trying to stay there in the future.”  |
|---|
|
…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments
Tim ready to go for glory
September 22nd, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
| Tim Henman has been drafted into the doubles by captain John Lloyd as Great Britain try to seal a 3-0 victory in their Davis Cup World Group play-off with Croatia at Wimbledon on Saturday.Lloyd had originally named Andy and Jamie Murray to play against Ivan Ljubicic and Lovro Zovko, but the rules state that nominations can be changed up to an hour before the match and both captains took full advantage of that. Henman and Jamie Murray will face Zovko and Marin Cilic after Ljubicic’s withdrawal from the tie with medical problems. “Yesterday’s match was very emotional for me but I said afterwards that we couldn’t afford to get carried away because the tie hadn’t been won,” explained Henman. “Winning both singles matches yesterday was a brilliant start but we need to concentrate now on getting the job done. “I always felt that the doubles would be very important in determining the outcome of the tie, and we’re fortunate to be in a position where we can qualify for the World Group by simply winning today’s match. “And it’s really nice to have a few options in terms of selection. Obviously Andy and Jamie would make a great team, Andy and I can play really well together and I’m sure Jamie and I will combine well together too. “The most |
|---|
…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments
Henman puts GB in the driving seat
September 21st, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
| Tim Henman held his nerve to give Great Britain a commanding 2-0 lead after the opening singles rubbers in their World Group play-off tie with Croatia at Wimbledon on Friday.The 33-year-old beat late replacement Roko Karanusic, who took the place of Ivan Ljubicic after illness struck the Croatian No. 1 earlier in the day. Henman built on the lead that Andy Murray had given the hosts when he beat Marin Cilic 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-3 in the opening match of the tie. “We’re in a great position but the job’s not done just yet,” warned the British number two, who won 6-4 6-3 6-3. “The most important thing is for us to get three wins as soon as we possibly can, and that will be the goal in the doubles tomorrow. “It was a difficult match in some respects as I thought I’d be playing Ivan [Ljubicic] and that’s the match I’d been preparing myself for and I only got to know that he wasn’t going to be able to play earlier today, so I had to make some pretty quick adjustments mentally. “I think he’s gone to hospital for some tests – hopefully he’ll be back to full health as soon as possible. “In terms of the match it was difficult not getting too emotional but I think |
|---|
…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments
Doubles may hold the key – Henman
September 18th, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
| Tim Henman believes that the doubles rubber may hold the key to victory in Great Britain’s Davis Cup World Group play-off tie with Croatia this weekend.“I think the singles are all going to be very tight,” explained the 33-year-old, who has announced that this will be his last competitive outing before retiring. “[Ivan] Ljubicic and [Marin] Cilic are obviously both really good players, but the fact that we’re playing on grass definitely favours us so I think all of the singles rubbers are there to be won but could go either way. “But I think we definitely have the edge as far as the doubles is concerned and it helps that we have some options. “For most of my career we’ve had to play all three days and when you’re playing best of five sets it becomes very draining both mentally and physically. “But with Jamie Murray now in the squad it means we have a few more options and we can see how the singles goes on the opening day before deciding who will play on Saturday, so that helps enormously. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that the doubles is going to be key – and I like our chances. “Overall the tie is a tough one to call, home advantage does count for an awful lot in Davis |
|---|
…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments
Henman and Murray find grass court feet
September 17th, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
| The Great Britain Davis Cup team took to the courts of the All England Club on Monday as preparations began in earnest for this weekend’s World Group play-off tie against Croatia, which gets underway on Friday September 21.The tie will be played on the No.1 Court at Wimbledon, which has been re-seeded since the Championships finished 10 weeks ago. Both teams were allowed to play on the court on Monday, with Croatia practising from 12 noon until 13:00 and Britain following suit an hour later. “The court’s in great condition,” said Tim Henman, who practised with Andy Murray for the full hour after both warmed up separately on other courts beforehand. “It feels a bit strange to be playing on grass this late in the year but historically it’s never taken me too long to adapt to my favourite surface and hopefully it won’t take me very long this time around either. “The tie is definitely going to be a close one; you could argue strongly for either team winning any of the rubbers. “But hopefully the fact that we’re playing on grass at home will prove to be decisive.” British fans will be hoping that the good weather that South West England has enjoyed over the past few weeks continues, because should it rain the tie may have |
|---|
…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments
Tennis Tips
September 6th, 2007 Posted by Tim No Comments
I’ve decided to take my tennis a little more seriously and I wondered whether you think I should give up playing squash altogether as a result?
From: Nik
Tim says: “In terms of squash being a help or a hindrance I think there are probably a few pros and a few cons.
Firstly, it always helps if you have good eye-ball co-ordination, and playing squash will help you develop this further and it will definitely help you with your fitness too.
However, many players who try to combine the two sports find it difficult because the technique involved is very different.
As I’m sure you know, in order to execute most of the basic shots in squash you need to use the wrist a lot, whereas in tennis if you try and do the same it can prove a bit of a hindrance, and most players who try and combine the two sports have trouble controlling the ball as a result.
But I do have a few friends that play both sports well, so there’s no doubt that it’s possible to combine both squash and tennis and be able to play them both to a decent level.
It will take considerable time and effort on your part but I think it will definitely prove worth it in the long run.…
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments