Tim Henman offers his perspective on the current state of tennis, asserting, “T ennis is in a good place, but I think it could be better,” The former professional, who reached six grand slam semi-finals and climbed to a world ranking of No. 4, is ready to share his thoughts on the sport’s potential for growth. Despite criticism regarding his competitiveness, Henman’s determination has fueled his enduring love for tennis.
During a meeting at the scenic Queen’s Club, Henman reflects on how different the venue is compared to the modest lodgings he encountered early in his career in Earl’s Court. Financial constraints often led to multiple players sharing tight quarters.
“I somehow convinced my parents that I should leave school at 16 to play full-time tennis,” Henman reminisces. “I was still very small so my results weren’t particularly good. We were based in a far corner at Queen’s with the two indoor courts. It was such a basic facility, but it was brilliant.”
He laughs as he recalls his time in a bed and breakfast. “So good. Funnily enough I bumped into Andrew Richardson just before I walked in to see you.” he adds. “Absolutely. We first met when we were 11 and played against each other. Andrew was best man at my wedding.”
Richardson, who coached Emma Raducanu to her recent final appearance at Queen’s Club, also played a crucial role in her stunning US Open victory as a qualifier in September 2021. Interestingly, Raducanu ended her partnership with Richardson shortly after that achievement, only to re-engage him this summer.
When inquired about sharing living spaces with Richardson during their formative years, Henman affirms, “I was surprised she chose not to work with him. She’s worked with a lot of coaches since then and now I really hope that her decision to get back with Andrew works for both their sakes. “He’s one of my best friends and I’ve also been around Emma. So it would be good if results improve.”
Henman has maintained a supportive relationship with Raducanu throughout her remarkable US Open journey, often cheering her on from the sidelines in his role as a television pundit. Following her victory, Raducanu’s first reaction was to reach out to Henman, who shared in her excitement. This connection offers him valuable insight into her relationship with Richardson.
Reflecting on Raducanu’s choice to part ways with Richardson shortly after her grand slam success, Henman expressed his surprise.
“Emma’s had eight or nine coaches,”
Currently, Raducanu and Richardson are making progress, although she faced a defeat against Donna Vekic in the Queen’s Club final. Vekic credited Raducanu’s comeback to her coach, David Felgate, whom she recently reinstated.
Having navigated his career with three coaches, Henman remarked, “but it’s her prerogative. I looked for consistency, continuity and building the relationship – and that’s why I had three coaches in 16 years.”
Although Raducanu secured the grand slam title that remained elusive for Henman, he believes she still has considerable ground to cover to reach his overall achievements. The challenges he faced on the tour instilled a resilience within him. When asked whether he thinks Raducanu’s unexpected US Open victory has impacted her development, he shared his thoughts.
“It was so unexpected because no one had ever qualified and made the final of a slam, let alone qualified and won it. So she didn’t really have a foundation to build from. She’d just done her A-levels and played some grass-court tournaments and then her ranking went up to No 20 in the world. “All of a sudden she was playing top-level events and she wasn’t ready, physically and mentally. You can’t drop down to build match practice and resilience but would you rather it had not happened? Absolutely not. It’s one of the most incredible achievements in sport.” Henman remarked. “It would be very hard. Not many people win slams so you could say, if you’ve done it once, you can do it again. But it’s all about the process. She’s got to become physically more resilient to build up her schedule, her match count, her weight of shot, her speed of movement and durability.”
“Of course. He was a good player and he understands the game well. He’s got a good history with Emma as they’ve known each other since she was in her early teens.”
Henman approached the topic of Raducanu’s prospects of clinching another slam with caution, stating, “I don’t know. He’s pulled out of Queen’s [this week] but this time last year he was in that conversation as to who might challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He’s had such a rotten time because he was playing great tennis. “It’s very challenging whether it’s this bone bruising or his knee. He’s just got to try and stay patient because, if you’re not healthy, you can’t compete.”
Is Richardson the right coach to help her achieve that consistency? “The schedule needs looking at because less is more and I would definitely streamline it,”
Henman also discussed Jack Draper, who has encountered considerable physical challenges and has been sidelined for most of the past year due to injury. When asked whether Henman anticipates Draper’s participation at Wimbledon, he replied, “The Masters 1000 events should be eight or nine days and then you need some periods where there is no tennis at the very highest level. It’s good for the players and fans and builds expectation for the next event. “I’m not a fan of the 12-day Masters 1000 events. Physically and psychologically that is tiring and, if anything, we should be trying to shorten the season.”
“It’s difficult, but that’s where the sport needs to come together. When you look at the governance of tennis there are seven different bodies – the ATP, WTA, ITF and the four grand slams. And right now we have this PTPA lawsuit.”
Henman raised concerns about the strenuous tennis calendar, which has adversely affected many elite players. Alcaraz has missed both the French Open and Wimbledon, while Sinner, despite enjoying a 30-match winning streak, found himself sidelined after a surprising early exit in Paris.
“We really need to communicate, and that has made it very difficult with the lawyers.” Henman proposed. “The communication needs to be better and conversations are not going to stop. It’s a huge strength of our sport that we have combined [men’s and women’s] events and look at how the grand slams have led the way in equal prize money and the opportunity that they’ve given to lower-ranked players. In the women’s game, the Wimbledon prize money for qualifying this year will be more than some of the [WTA] Masters 1000 events.”
“Until I first experienced the Laver Cup in person I’d thought it was an exhibition event. But when I was at the 2022 Laver Cup, when Roger Federer played his final match before retirement at the O 2, I was blown away by the intensity and passion of both teams. “The players are individuals and rivals and here they are coming together for the greater good of Europe or the rest of the world. The way the event was delivered was incredible and so when I was asked last year if I’d like to be vice-captain I was blindsided. But I felt it was an absolute privilege and I could not have enjoyed it more in San Francisco – apart from the fact that we didn’t win.”
With financial interests driving modern sports, is it realistic to consider reducing or eliminating some tournaments? “We were bitterly disappointed when we lost last time but it was then that Alcaraz signed up. He said: ‘I’m coming back.’ If the players love the event they have that intensity to win.” The Professional Tennis Players Association has initiated legal action against these organizations, alleging collusion to restrict prize money and limit players’ promotional opportunities. “I have no idea. It’s obviously a serious injury, because he pulled out of Madrid, Rome, Paris, Queen’s and Wimbledon. So, fingers crossed.”
Henman has been instrumental in negotiations between top players and grand slam tournaments concerning prize money. As a board member at Wimbledon, he is held in high regard by players. Recently, Wimbledon announced a 20% increase in prize money, a move welcomed by players, but he admitted that the situation remains complicated.
“We have a WhatsApp group so we’re always in dialogue, looking at how the team could shape up.”
Henman is particularly excited about his role as vice-captain for Team Europe in the upcoming Laver Cup against Team World at the O2 in London this September. He believes the competition, established in 2017, has the potential to rival the prestige of the Ryder Cup in golf.
“I got my first ranking points in Morocco and central Africa. I had seven points and my ranking was 780 at the end of the year. That was such a defining moment, because I was on the ladder. I wanted to be 700. I wanted to be 500. I wanted to be 300.” he stated. “No chance. If you’d said to me then: ‘Sign this document and you can be top 100 for the next 10 years, and play the grand slams,’ I would have bitten both arms off. It’s what I always wanted to do.”
“The players are individuals and rivals, yet they come together for the greater good of Europe or the rest of the world. The event’s execution was incredible, so when I was asked to be vice-captain last year, I was taken aback. I felt it was a privilege, and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more in San Francisco – except for the fact that we didn’t win.”
Team Europe has claimed victory in five of the eight Laver Cups, with both Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, the reigning French Open champion, committed to participate at the O2. “We were disappointed with our loss last time, but that’s when Alcaraz signed on. He said: ‘I’m coming back.’ If the players love the event, they bring the intensity to win.”
Will Alcaraz be fit enough by September? “I have no idea. It’s obviously a serious injury since he withdrew from Madrid, Rome, Paris, Queen’s, and Wimbledon. So, fingers crossed.”
Efforts are in place to persuade Sinner to make his Laver Cup debut, with Henman stating.
“We have a WhatsApp group, so we’re always in dialogue, considering how the team might shape up.”
Looking back on his early career, Henman recalled leaving his B&B life in Earl’s Court at the end of 1992 at just 18 years old. “I got my first ranking points in Morocco and central Africa. I had seven points, and my ranking was 780 at the end of the year. That was a defining moment, as I was on the ladder. I aspired to be 700, then 500, then 300.”
When asked if he ever imagined he would rise to become the fourth-best player in the world, Henman responded, “No chance. If you’d said to me then, ‘Sign this document, and you can be top 100 for the next 10 years and play the grand slams,’ I would have accepted it immediately. It was always my dream.”
The Laver Cup is set to take place at the O2 from September 25-27. For more information, visit lavercup.com.
