Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
| Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Friday, 23 September 2005, 12:45 GMT 13:45 UK
Henman contemplates end of career
Tim Henman
Henman is close to losing his status as British number one
British number one Tim Henman has hinted he will quit tennis if he cannot recapture his best form in 2006.

After a testing year, the 31-year-old star said if results do not start going his way he could hang up his racket.

"I have belief in my qualities as a player and expect the results to come," Henman told BBC Sport.

"But if I'm doing the right things in practice, after a month or three months of things not happening a player does question himself."

Henman almost wrote off the 2005 season after failing to find his groove in practice and suffering from back and shoulder problems.

I want to finish this year strongly
Tim Henman

So he is anxious that November and December afford him the chance to put in some quality, injury-free preparation.

"Early this year, I was not enjoying my tennis for the first time, but I desperately want to put that right and am starting to do so," said Henman.

"I'm excited about the work I'll put in to kick-start me for 2006. I want to finish this year strongly."

A noteable absentee during Britain's game against Switzerland, Henman says he is comfortable with his decision to end his Davis Cup career.

"I wanted to focus energies on my schedule and hope people can't argue with that given my long service and the gruelling matches I've played," he said.

"But I can still see myself being captain in a few years."

Henman advocates a "generation gap" between national captains and their players, but he has already given fellow Brit Andy Murray some advice.

"The bar of expectation is going higher and higher for Andy and it should because he's a class player," said Henman.

"But he must be focused on what he's doing. He has an edge to him which is good.

"But there's a fine line. He must concentrate on what he wants to achieve and not on what is written about him."


WATCH AND LISTEN
Interview: Tim Henman



SEE ALSO


RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
bannerwatch listenbbc sport