After playing in seven semi-finals in 1996, Henman finally won his first title in January 1997, defeating Goran Ivanisevic and Carlos Moya in successive matches to lift the Sydney International trophy, and followed that by triumphing in Tashkent later that year.

His career continued on an upward curve in 1998 when he burst into the top 10, qualified for the year-end championships and reached the first of four Wimbledon semis.

The 23-year-old lost to eventual champion Pete Sampras at SW19, but the American said: "It was by far the toughest match I've had all year. There's nothing to separate us. He is on the point of being a truly great player."