Henman never improved on 2004. While he retained hope of winning that elusive Grand Slam title, a degenerative back condition frequently disrupted his efforts. He has reached just one final in the last three seasons and only once got beyond the second round of a Grand Slam in that period.

Calls for him to retire increased, but despite a series of disappointing results, Henman resisted, citing the example of Andre Agassi.

Agassi said he had pushed his body until he felt like he couldn't take it any more, telling Henman: "I wanted to make sure that the day I hung up my racket I was retiring, not quitting."