It's official. Tim Henman is calling it a day. While not totally unexpected, it is nonetheless a sad announcement. Just an hour ago, in front of the pre-US Open media, Henman told the world that after Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Croatia he would hang up his Slazengers.

In a statement on his official website, www.timhenman.org he says:  "I have recently found it impossible to withstand the rigours of playing tennis at the highest level."

Tim has struggled with injuries for the past few years. Add to this his attacking style of play, and it has just been too much for his body to bear.

'A consumate attacker with a solid serve and volley game, Tim was perfectly suited to grass-court tennis'


I am saddened. Always Britain's hope for a Wimbledon title, at every twist and turn the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and the ATP Tour seemed to conspire against him. A consumate attacker with a solid serve and volley game, Tim was perfectly suited to grass-court tennis. The slowing of the grass, the deadening of the balls and the rules changes to favor baseline play made it harder for Henman to go as far and be as competitive as he became.

In the one year where it looked like Tim would go all the way, the AELTC and the ATP provided Goran Ivanisevic with a wild-card entry, one usually provided to a much lower ranked, untested Brit. He and Tim went on to play one of the all-time great matches, going three days and five sets in favour of Ivanisevic who went on to win Wimbledon that year. Had the AELTC only chosen a different wild card -- but perhaps that's no more than wishful thinking.

With Tim's retirement tennis loses another true gentleman as reflected in his final statement: "Representing my country and playing at Wimbledon have always had a very special place in my heart and over the years many of my fondest memories have come from the Davis Cup ties I have taken part in as well as playing at the Championships. I feel honoured and privileged to be able to represent my country once more against Croatia at Wimbledon and hopefully I will be able to finish on a high by helping Great Britain return to the World Group in 2008."

Henman passes the torch of Britain's best hope to Andy Murray, and with it Henman Hill will become Murray Mound. No-one in the modern era has represented Britain better than Henman.

I will be in the stands at Flushing Meadows and silently saying goodbye to one of professional tennis' greatest competitors. How nice it would be if that goodbye will be in the final.