Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / TENNIS
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Tennis Contents:  Live scores | Results | Skills | Rules and Equipment | Get Involved

Wednesday, 28 June 2006, 20:32 GMT 21:32 UK

BBC pundits on Henman

By John McEnroe
BBC Sport tennis pundit

After Tim Henman's straight-sets defeat to Roger Federer, I don't think he should despair.

He certainly could do better. He could get a better draw, but he has got to take a long look at things now.

I suspect he will come back to Wimbledon for at least one or two more years.

Tim Henman As your body ages, recovery time is not what it was and you are not as quick as you were.

You need to be able to recover from a five-set match in less than 24 hours and you have got to make some very quick decisions.

That is just Father Time - nothing can be done about that.

You can try to get a little bit stronger, but Henman has done that.

Tim may be convinced he needs to become more of a baseline player.

But from my own experience, I'm not sure about that.

I felt the need to change my game towards the end by adding more power - and I think that was a mistake.

You have got to do what you do best - in his case, serve-volleying.

If you then get out-classed by an opponent, you have got to accept it.

By Boris Becker
BBC Sport tennis pundit

The question Tim must ask himself is how long he wants to do this to himself.

The trouble he has is that he might not be seeded - and that means he's always likely to get someone like Federer early on in the fortnight.

Tim has been such a big part of this tournament over the past 10 years - it's not good to see a man like him losing as early as the second round.

I just hope he has enough determination and encouragement from those around him to come back.

By Pat Cash
BBC Sport tennis pundit

Let's face it - Tim's ranking is sliding down. He's also not playing the game he wants to play.

He's the best volleyer in the world, but he feels that he can't get to the net - because the courts are so slower, the balls are heavier or whatever.

But from the back of the court, Federer cannot be matched on grass.

Even on clay, there's only one man who can beat him from there, and that's Rafael Nadal.

So Tim might as well have a go and come in to the net.

Don't forget that Federer played fantastic tennis.

If Tim had lost to the number eight seed like that, you'd have a good think about whether to carry on - but you have to remember who he lost to.

For me, it's all about whether he has the motivation to get his ranking back up.

He has a lovely wife and kids at home - does he want to keep putting himself through it?

McEnroe, Becker and Cash were speaking on BBC TV's Wimbledon coverage.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Henman's big day falls flat (28 Jun 06 |  Tennis )
Peerless Federer humbles Henman (28 Jun 06 |  Tennis )
Henman to play 'a few more years' (28 Jun 06 |  Tennis )
Henman win sets up Federer clash (27 Jun 06 |  Tennis )
Federer secures new record in win (26 Jun 06 |  Tennis )
Murray shines in Wimbledon opener (27 Jun 06 |  Tennis )
Classy Safin ends Rusedski hopes (27 Jun 06 |  Tennis )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Latest scores
Results
Singles draws
Order of play
BBC coverage
TV and radio times
Wimbledon weather
Wimbledon
ITF
ATP
WTA
LTA
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Tennis Contents:  Live scores | Results | Skills | Rules and Equipment | Get Involved

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©