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  • Henman slams lack of desire by British players

    6/17/08 4:54 PM | Cheryl Murray
    - On the eve of Wimbledon, the perpetually sorry state of British tennis has drawn fire from retired hero Tim Henman, who lamented the gap of around 250 ranking places between Andy Murray and the rest of his compatriots.

    Murray stands 11th while national No. 2 Jamie Baker is a dismal 260. “The void between Murray at the top and the next group is bigger than it’s ever been. There really isn’t an excuse for that,” said Henman, set to commentate Wimbledon in a BBC debut.

    “We’ve got the money to invest and we’ve got great facilities and better coaching now. My issue is not with the Lawn Tennis Association, it’s with the players. A great example is the Serbs right now.”

    Henman praised Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic, French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and women's world No. 2 Jelena Jankovic as pioneers for their tiny European nation.

    “They didn't have facilities, they were in a war-torn country when they were growing up and look what they’ve done. They have ability, but their motivation and dedication is fantastic and that’s it - there is no magic secret.”

    Former great Henman, who carried the flag for the home game along with Canadian import Greg Rusedski in the 1990s and into this century, said the British players show a lack of responsibility despite having world-class facilities and at their disposal.

    “It has been too common a theme in the British game that the kids aren’t hungry enough. Why is that? No idea. I had unbelievable desire to make it happen. Too many of the kids that I’ve practised with and seen don’t have that.”

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