Tim Henman
For nearly a decade Tim held a whole nation’s hopes on his shoulders, and he carried them well, becoming Great Britain’s most successful tennis player since Roger Taylor in the 1970s.
He attained a career-high ranking of No.4 in the world and reach six Grand Slam semi finals. He also played on the British Davis Cup team, more than once winning decisive fifth rubbers to keep his country’s hopes alive in the competition.
Known as ‘Tiger Tim’ in the British press, he was famed for his elegant serve-and-volley style, an approach that made him popular with tennis fans around the world.
Perhaps the Briton’s greatest chance of winning a Grand Slam title came at Wimbledon in 2001, when he was beaten in five sets by wild card Goran Ivanisevic in the semi finals. At one point, he led by two sets to one in a match that spanned three days due to repeated rain delays. Speaking of that match, Ivanisevic now says that ‘the rain saved my life’. The Croatian went on to defeat Pat Rafter in the final to lift the Wimbledon crown.
Since retiring in 2007, Henman has enjoyed a quiet life at home in Oxfordshire with his wife Lucy and his three daughters, Rose, Olivia and Grace. He has spent a lot of time on the golf course, whittling his handicap down from three to zero, and also working as a commentator for the BBC during Wimbledon. He also works on the committee of the All-England Club at Wimbledon.
