Tim Henman got to celebrate his proudest moment off court with the birth of his first child - a baby girl.

The British tennis star's wife Lucy gave birth to Rose Elizabeth on Saturday.

She was born at 0507 BST at London's Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, weighing in at 8lb 4oz.

The birth was said to have gone "smoothly" and both Lucy, 30, and the baby were said to be doing well.

'Delighted'

In a statement on his website, world number five tennis player Henman said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"It's obviously something Lucy and I have been looking forward to for most of the year and I'd like to thank everybody at the hospital for all their help."

Henman, 28, was planning to be back on the ATP Tour to defend his title at the International Series event in Basel, Switzerland, which begins on Tuesday.

Henman admitted the forthcoming birth was playing on his mind after suffering his first-ever defeat to Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, sending him out of the Madrid Masters Series last week.

Afterwards, he said: "I found it hard to concentrate on court knowing there are far more important things at home.

Tennis future?

"I was a little distracted but I think that's inevitable."

Responding to fan-mail on his website, Henman said the prospect of fatherhood was "pretty nerve-wracking".

A spokesman for the Lawn Tennis Association said: "We are absolutely delighted for Tim and Lucy at the new arrival."

Bookmakers William Hill have offered odds of 250/1 that Henman's daughter grows up to win the Wimbledon singles title in the future.

It remains to be seen whether the new arrival will boost "Tiger" Tim's own tennis hopes.