Post by Taxigirl on Jul 1, 2004 11:38:48 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3854277.stm
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3853481.stm
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/photo_galleries/3853881.stm
By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Tim Henman admitted that his chances of winning Wimbledon are running out after his surprise loss to Mario Ancic in the quarter-finals.
"The disappointment gets worse every year," said Henman. "I've never hidden from the fact that this is the tournament I want to win the most.
"There's a number of years ahead if I stay fit, but the reality is I haven't got endless chances.
"My hopes and desires were to win this tournament and it's tough to swallow."
Despite the disappointment, the British number one insisted he remains confident in his ability.
"You've either got self-belief or you haven't," he said. "I think I'm pretty good at this game."
The defeat was all the more surprising because Henman came into the tournament in a rich vein of form, having reached the semi-finals at the French Open.
"I look at the last seven months but right now it's no consolation," he said.
"In a couple of weeks, when we move on, there will be some good things to take but my focus has been on this tournament."
And Henman refused to blame the subdued atmosphere on Centre Court for his performance.
"The support I've had has been phenomenal, I couldn't ask for more," he said. "When I'm down by two sets it's hard for everyone."
Reacting to suggestions that he might have changed tactics when Ancic began to pass him regularly, the 29-year-old was unmoved.
"I think it's ironic that suddenly people are saying I should stay back when after the first three matches they're saying I stay back too much."
After going out in the last eight for the second successive year, Henman will now try to stay away from tennis for a while.
"I'll probably spend some time with family and friends and get away from it for a little bit. I've got no desire to pick up a racket for a little bit."
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3853481.stm
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/photo_galleries/3853881.stm
By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Tim Henman admitted that his chances of winning Wimbledon are running out after his surprise loss to Mario Ancic in the quarter-finals.
"The disappointment gets worse every year," said Henman. "I've never hidden from the fact that this is the tournament I want to win the most.
"There's a number of years ahead if I stay fit, but the reality is I haven't got endless chances.
"My hopes and desires were to win this tournament and it's tough to swallow."
Despite the disappointment, the British number one insisted he remains confident in his ability.
"You've either got self-belief or you haven't," he said. "I think I'm pretty good at this game."
The defeat was all the more surprising because Henman came into the tournament in a rich vein of form, having reached the semi-finals at the French Open.
"I look at the last seven months but right now it's no consolation," he said.
"In a couple of weeks, when we move on, there will be some good things to take but my focus has been on this tournament."
And Henman refused to blame the subdued atmosphere on Centre Court for his performance.
"The support I've had has been phenomenal, I couldn't ask for more," he said. "When I'm down by two sets it's hard for everyone."
Reacting to suggestions that he might have changed tactics when Ancic began to pass him regularly, the 29-year-old was unmoved.
"I think it's ironic that suddenly people are saying I should stay back when after the first three matches they're saying I stay back too much."
After going out in the last eight for the second successive year, Henman will now try to stay away from tennis for a while.
"I'll probably spend some time with family and friends and get away from it for a little bit. I've got no desire to pick up a racket for a little bit."