Better than hope
FOR THE PAST five years, Tim Henman has been Britain's best hope to win Wimbledon. This year, he's gone one step better -- he's actually the favourite.
British bookmaker William Hill has Henman as the clear 7-2 favourite to win his first Grand Slam title and become the first British man to lift the Wimbledon trophy since Fred Perry in 1936.
Henman, right, is primed to overturn his heartbreak of last year when he lost a four-set semi-final against eventual champion Goran Ivansevic -- a rain-delayed match that took three days to complete.
Henman, 27, has often been criticised for failing to fulfill his potential on grass, the best surface for his traditional serve and volley style. He reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 1996 and 1997, the semi- finals the following two years and the fourth round in 2000.
The furthest Henman has reached in any other Grand Slam is the fourth round -- the US Open (1996 and 1998) and Australian Open (2000 and 2001).
"My desire to win Wimbledon can't get any greater," Henman said after losing to Xavier Malisse in the second round of last month's French Open. "That's always been the ultimate goal for me."
Former three-time Wimbledon winner John McEnroe has often cited Henman as a probable champion. So has Boris Becker.
"I think Tim is one of a handful of serious contenders to win Wimbledon," said Becker, also a former three-time champion. "He is a natural grass-court player."
Henman might also have history on his side. The last time a British player won a Wimbledon singles title (Virginia Wade) was in 1977 -- during celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 25 years on the throne. This year's tournament coincides with the queen's 50th jubilee.
Henman is projected to face his greatest challenge in the semis -- Hewitt. "Many are saying it's inevitable," Henman said. "But it was probably only four months ago they were saying I couldn't play. Now I'm guaranteed to be champion at Wimbledon!
"I have always tried to let my tennis do the talking. Hopefully I can get better results at Wimbledon than I have before. I don't think you can achieve what I have achieved without having talent and I will always go out on to the court and give 100 per cent.
"It builds a brilliant atmosphere," Henman said. "That's what I always wanted to be a part of, it has always been my dream. I take a lot of confidence from my previous good performances at Wimbledon... the whole scenario is a massive help.
"Wimbledon is in my home country, grass is a good surface for me and I am living at home, which makes a big difference. But the biggest factor is the support."
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