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Time running out for heartbroken Henman
Heartbroken Tim Henman believes he can still achieve his lifetime dream of winning Wimbledon despite another shattering defeat.
Heartbroken Tim Henman believes he can still achieve his lifetime dream of winning Wimbledon despite yet another shattering Centre Court defeat.
But the British number one, who will be almost 31 when the tournament rolls around again in 2005, knows that the clock is ticking and his younger rivals to the title are growing as each season goes by.
"I have never hidden behind the fact that this is the tournament I would most love to win and the reality is that I don't have an endless number of years left," said fifth seed Henman after his 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-2 quarter-final defeat to unseeded Croatian Mario Ancic, almost 10 years his junior, on Wednesday.
"This defeat won't detract from what I do with regard to my game because there are still a number of years ahead of me as long as I stay fit and healthy.
"I'm sure that my desire and dedication and motivation will always be there. But the reality is that I haven't got endless chances."
Despite his optimism, Henman knows that this year was one of his best chances but, having been a semi-finalist four times, he has now been dumped out in the last eight stage in 2003 and 2004.
Furthermore, with Roger Federer, just 22, and 21-year-old Andy Roddick threatening to carve up the Wimbledon silverware for years to come, the prospects of Henman ending Britain's 68-year wait for a men's champion are slim.
However, Henman is not for quitting.
"You either have self-belief or you don't," he said.
"But I'm pretty good at this game and I'm going to keep working hard and keep trying to do the right things."
Ancic was a revelation in his Centre Court dismissal of Henman.
He served-and-volleyed at every opportunity, served consistently well and happily sent fizzing forehand and backhand passes which left the Briton gasping, flat-footed and muddle-minded.
Worse for Henman was the fact that Ancic was another Croatian barrier placed in his way of fulfilling his childhood dream.
The last time was 2001 when Goran Ivanisevic came out on top in a marathon five-set semi-final which was played over three days in between rain showers.
Henman could have done with a weather interruption on Wednesday so he could return to the locker room to shelter from the Ancic storm and it was ironic that the heavens opened just minutes after his defeat.
"This was the worst defeat, it's a tough one to swallow," said Henman.
"I couldn't have been more disappointed with my game 12 months ago but since then I have won a Masters title and reached the semi-finals of the French Open.
"But that's no consolation. My hopes and desires were to win this tournament."
