British players-henman,murray,rusedski etc

[alsl]

Okay since there was no thread for tim OR greg and this article is about both of em..

Alter Egos-Despite Appearances, Tim and Greg are two of a kind

Tim Henman was born in Britain and is beloved by his country's fans.Greg is a Canadian transplant once razzled for his faux brit accent. "I dont think you'd get two more different people," Henman says. Not so fast, Gentleman Tim. There are in fact many eerie similarities between Great Britain's best players of the last decade. For example, they were both born on Sept 6. "I have to point out," Rusedski says,"that i was born first-in 1973,a year before Tim, and I'd like to think I've been blazing the trail for him." We'll let the stats decide

Career high singles ranking-TH=4 GR=4
" " doubles ranking-TH=62 GR=63
" winning %-TH=66 GR=61
no. of masters series titles won-TH=1 GR=1
Date of wedding-TH=dec 11 '99 GR=dec 4 '99
Wife's name-TH=Lucy GR=Lucy
Children- TH=two daughters-rose elizabeth and olivia GR=two cats-Henry and Winston

[artilcle from tennis magazine july 2005]

freaky..........??

edit:this is the scanned artilce.i would have posted it earlier but my scanner has been busted for a bit..

[Annie]

LOL alsl thanks...it's a funny one...I said it before and I'll say it again..I like Tim..a lot...I think he's done a hell of a lot for the British tennis and he is such a sweetheart LOL

[SAFINNO1]

funny article ade Greg's wife lucy is expecting a baby in Jan so good luck with that. despite them aging they both intend to play a full schedule and really heop they can play well again. But my wish for them is to win wimbledon, the best GS in the world and i will be there to watch it.
Good luck lads in 2006

[Annie]

good luck lads!!!!!!!!! and good luck to Lucy and Greg with that new baby coming ;D

[marats]

Always happy news expecting a baby ..... all the luck
Lucy & Greg !!!

[jewell]

admin said:

LOL alsl thanks...it's a funny one...I said it before and I'll say it again..I like Tim..a lot...I think he's done a hell of a lot for the British tennis and he is such a sweetheart LOL

I agree with you. I'm hoping Tim can reassert himself as the British no.1 again and prove the doubters in the media wrong.

[lau]

Long interview to Murray.
sport.independent.co.uk/tennis/article334417.ece

And he seriously needs a haircut... This is a plage ;D ;D

[SAFINNO1]

yeah it's a good article.
Once again no comment on the hair although in an interview his mum made on tv she did say he was gonna cut it but i can't remember when atleast before Wimby

[Annie]

jewell said:

admin said:

LOL alsl thanks...it's a funny one...I said it before and I'll say it again..I like Tim..a lot...I think he's done a hell of a lot for the British tennis and he is such a sweetheart LOL

I agree with you. I'm hoping Tim can reassert himself as the British no.1 again and prove the doubters in the media wrong.

I'd be very happy if that happens ;D Welcome back jewell ;D

[SAFINNO1]

HENMAN: I'LL BE BETTER IN 2006

British number one Tim Henman has admitted 2005 was his worst year as a professional as injury, loss of form and lack of motivation got the better of him.
Talking to The Times, the 31-year-old said he was 'sick of tennis' before adding '2006 may not be a bundle of laughs'.

Henman, who began the year as the world's sixth-ranked player but ended it at number 37, revealed his run to the semi-finals at the French and US Opens the previous year took more out of him that he first realised.

"I was mentally and physically exhausted," he said. "The cumulative effect of such a year meant I didn't have the proper preparation for 2005 and so, in hindsight, what has happened this year is no surprise.

"I didn't have the desire, the energy or the motivation to play, or the physical wellbeing required to put in the work necessary to compete. I was playing on pure stubborn resolve."

A month's break to rest a back problem gave him time for contemplation but deep down the former Wimbledon semi-finalist believes he can regain his best form.

"I still have challenges I cannot ignore," he added. "The last couple of weeks my body's been in good shape and we've worked on the aspects I need.

"What drives me on? The challenge of proving to myself that I can regain my old levels of play.

"I look at Agassi - why is he still playing? He loves doing what he does, challenging himself all the time, and who has the right to tell him he should stop?

"Now is the right time to say this - 2005 was difficult to judge because I wasn't right. As for 2006...I'll judge myself at the end of the year."

Henman kicks off his schedule in Doha on January 4 before heading Down Under to prepare for the Australian Open at the end of the month.

[SAFINNO1]

Tim set for tough French test

Frenchman Richard Gasquet will be Tim Henman’s first round opponent in Doha, Qatar.

The 19-year-old, who finished 2005 ranked number 16 in the world, is seeded number three at the ExxonMobil Open, which gets under way today.

Henman is unseeded, a direct result of a bitterly disappointing season blighted by injury last year, which resulted in his ranking dropping outside the top 30 in the world.

“Last year was a real struggle,” explained the 31-year-old.

“And it’s nice to be able to finally put it behind me and move on.

“I struggled to gain any momentum throughout the year and didn’t win as many matches as I would obviously have wanted and my ranking has suffered.

“The downside is that it will be more difficult to be seeded and therefore I may get a few rough draws.

“But the depth of men’s tennis is such that you have to play well right from the start in these events anyway, so my focus will still be very much on my own game.

“I feel fit and strong and if I can maintain my health and execute my gameplan well I think I have what it takes to make life difficult for a lot of players, and my ranking should then take care of itself.

“Richard enjoyed a fantastic 2005 and there’s no doubting his talent, but we all start 2006 with a clean slate and I’m going to be looking to take advantage of that.”

Greg Rusedski unfortunately had to pull out due to the imminent birth of his baby thus making him a doubt for the AO

[SAFINNO1]

Henman starts 2006 with Qatar win

Tim Henman started his 2006 season with a morale-boosting 6-4 6-4 win over Richard Gasquet at the Qatar Open.
Henman showed no signs of the back injury that dogged him last season as he moved impressively around court and pounded some big serves.

The Briton carved out a break at 3-2 in the opening set with some excellent play at the net and served out the set.

Gasquet's errors then handed Henman a break in the second and the Briton held off late pressure to wrap up the match.

Henman will now meet Germany's Tommy Haas in the second round after he beat Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 5-7 6-2 7-5.

Gasquet and Henman were meeting on court for the first time and quickly engaged in an intriguing battle in Doha.

The French 19-year-old hit some remarkable groundstrokes in the opening stages while Henman countered with his trademark serve-and-volley game.

But Gasquet's inconsistency from the back of the court saw Henman convert his sixth break point in game five - and that was enough to claim the set.

The third seed hit back with some fiery shots in the second and broke the British 31-year-old to go 2-0 up.

Henman coolly stood his ground and broke straight back before breaking for a second time at 3-3.

Gasquet rallied again to carve out two break points as Henman tried to serve for the match but the Briton held his nerve, delivering two strong serves to triumph.

[SAFINNO1]

Rusedski delighted with new baby

Greg Rusedski has become a father for the first time after his wife Lucy gave birth on Friday.
A spokesman for the pair said: "Greg and Lucy are delighted to announce the safe arrival of Scarlett Mary, born today at 0725 GMT, weighing 8lb 6oz.

"Mother and baby are doing well," the spokesman added.

The 32-year-old British number two opted against competing in the Australian Open this month and stayed at home for the birth.

[SAFINNO1]

Henman falls to Koubek in semis

Tim Henman's hopes of reaching a first final in almost two years ended with defeat to Stefan Koubek in Zagreb.
The Briton fought back to lead by a break in the final set but suffered a worrying recurrence of a back injury on his way to a 6-3 3-6 6-2 defeat.

The 31-year-old had been trying to reach his first final since losing to Roger Federer at the 2004 Indian Wells Masters Series.

Koubek will meet Ivan Ljubicic or Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

Henman went into the match with a 3-2 record against Koubek but having lost their last two encounters.

He started well and forced two break points in game five but could not convert, and immediately suffered the consequences as he was broken in the next game.

Defeat looked likely when Henman dropped serve again early in the second set but he responded impressively, breaking twice himself to take the set.

And a place in the final was within sight when the Briton took an early lead in the decider.

But after receiving treatment on his back Henman was unable to stay in touch, and Koubek reeled off six of seven games to wrap up the win.

[jewell]

It was nice to see Tim in a semi-final after such a long time.

But i am getting worried about this recurring back problem he seems to have.