Henman's close family undoubtedly helped him cope with the attention. He was once asked what his idea of perfect happiness was. His answer was simply "a weekend at home with my family".

Anyone who has ever agonised over a Henman match on television will instantly recognise the inscrutable faces of his parents, Jane and Tony, although they have rarely spoken in public. He also has two older brothers of whom little is known.

In 1999, a week after British rival Greg Rusedski's wedding, he married documentary director Lucy Heald. They have three children, Rosie, five, and Olivia, two, and Grace, born 14 September.