McEnroe lifts the trophy in 1981

Henman for his part admitted that it is time he started looking for a new coach.

"It's nice to know John is available and there's no doubt the time to start looking is after Wimbledon.

"But I am not sure if he would want to travel with me for 25 weeks on the tour," said the British number one after his victory over Martin Lee.

Henman dispensed with David Felgate's services in April.

Bob Brett, formely with Boris Becker, turned him down, while nothing has come of rumours linking him with the likes of Tony Pickard (Stefan Edberg's former coach), Tom Gullikson and Pete Sampras's coach Paul Annacone.

Henman now admits he can no longer survive as a one-man band.

In his on-air conversations with the BBC's Sue Barker, McEnroe has hinted he'd like to take the challenge on.

And he's made it clear he feels he knows exactly what is wrong with the British number one's game.

McEnroe rarely gives an answer that does not make one very aware that so few people know as much about the game as him

John Inverdale

Henman split with Felgate two months ago

"Whether it's personalities or any aspect of playing he is very shrewd and erudite.

"A lot of the points he makes are things that might have passed through the minds of you or I, but they are things we had never been able to encapsulate into a coherent thought.

"Like cricket commentator Richie Benaud, he just says something and you think, 'Yup John, you're right'.

"He also has the ability not to take himself too seriously but that is a prerequisite in this business."

But is he serious about Henman?

"I think he might be," smiles Inverdale.