Henman did indeed go on to prove himself a world-class player, but the greatness that Sampras predicted - as well as the Wimbledon title he and his country craved - remained elusive. Those agonising four Wimbledon semi-finals ended thus:

1998 lost to Sampras
6-3 4-6 7-5 6-3

1999 lost to Sampras
3-6 6-4 6-3 6-4

2001 lost to Ivanisevic
7-5 6-7 0-6 7-6 6-3

2002 lost to Hewitt
7-5 6-1 7-5