Henman is optimistic about the future of British tennis

Henman announced on Thursday that he will retire from tennis after Great Britain's Davis Cup match with Croatia at Wimbledon next month.

The former world number four said: "If I known 10 years ago we wouldn't have anyone in the majors apart from Andy Murray, I'd have been disappointed.

"We have to look at the numbers coming through and players' development."

But Henman, who won 11 ATP titles and reached six Grand Slam semi-finals - including four at Wimbledon - is hopeful a new crop of players can give British number one Murray back-up in the years to come.

Asked whether he believed a Briton would ever win Wimbledon, he said: "I think we have to look at the bigger picture.

"In the last 18 months or two years things have started to change in a dramatic fashion and that is exciting.

606: DEBATE What are your best Tim moments from the past 12 years? The return of McFerrari

"With the structure we've put in place with the LTA I can now see there are some big opportunities.

"If we can start getting more players playing professionally, more players competing in Grand Slams, then we can start winning these biggest and best tournaments as standards improve."

Henman insists he would welcome the opportunity to have some input into the development of British players.

He added: "Would I like to be involved in the future? Absolutely, because I feel there is now a system in place where you can see things happening. There are people in place who I absolutely believe in.