Tim Henman makes sad 7-word prediction for Andy Murray at Wimbledon

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Privacy NoticeHe may be one of Britain’s most famous tennis players, but Tim Henman admits that family will always be his biggest achievement as he looks forward to celebrating his silver wedding anniversary with his wife, Lucy, later this year. Tim, who will turn 50 in September, says that while he is incredibly proud of the many tennis tournaments he won during his stellar career, Lucy and his three daughters, Rose, 21, Olivia, 19, and Grace, 16, will always come first. “My family is way more important,” he confides in an exclusive interview on the eve of The Championships at Wimbledon. “I am lucky to have such a great and happy family. It’s crazy to think my eldest is 21 now and away at university. It goes so quickly, but I feel very lucky that I get to spend so much time with them.” “Lucy and I will have been married 25 years this year and that is very special. Long may it continue!” Tim has no qualms about his approaching 50th birthday, saying, “It’s only a number, after all! I feel comfortable with it. Mind you, when I was 22 and I saw someone who was 50, I used to think that was old and now it is me! But it is all good. I will be in New York for the US Open, so hopefully I can celebrate it there.”

Tim is presenting for the BBC at Wimbledon this year
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

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Once again, Tim will be part of this year’s BBC broadcasting team for the corporation’s coverage of Wimbledon and will join tennis legends he used to idolise, such as John McEnroe, in the commentating box, alongside host Clare Balding. He laughs as he recalls being a commentator at the tournament for the first time in 2008, a year after he had retired. “It was Federer v Nadal in the final,” he says. “It was, in my opinion, the greatest men’s final and I remember thinking to myself, ‘Don’t say something stupid! This is the best match ever. You don’t want to ruin it!’” Happily, Tim most certainly didn’t ruin it and thanks to his experience on court, he has become one of the BBC’s most trusted commentators. “It is lots of fun,” he says. “Clare Balding is such a pro and my job is way easier, answering lots of questions and watching and talking about a match. I am a board member of Wimbledon too and so on match days, I do tend to be there from 8.30am and work 14 or 15 hours but I certainly don’t mind – I’ve never looked at this as a job, more a hobby!” So, who does Tim think will win this year? He says both the men and women’s tournaments will be incredibly exciting, with many players bidding to become the king and queen of Wimbledon. As for the British hopefuls, he is praying Andy Murray will be on form, although the two-time Wimbledon champion had to pull out of the Queen’s tournament last week with a back injury. “It will probably be his last Wimbledon,” Tim says. “Hopefully he can be injury free.”

Tim thinks this will be Andy Murray’s last Wimbledon
(Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Tim admits he doesn’t feel sorry for the British players and the pressure they face from the nation, having experienced it himself as a player. “It’s the way you manage that and how you deal with it psychologically,” he explains. “What is being said on TV or radio, you can’t control, so don’t focus on it. Focus on what you are doing and being one of the best players in the world.” Seventeen years after retiring, Tim – who in 1998 became the first British man to reach the singles semi-finals at Wimbledon since Roger Taylor in the 1970s, and who won 15 career ATP tour titles – says he doesn’t miss the training, travel and discipline involved in being a top player. “Walking out on Wimbledon’s Centre Court is amazing,” he adds. “And you will inevitably miss that, but it’s the other 99% that goes into it that I don’t miss in the slightest!” Tim, who received an OBE in 2004, says his favourite SW19 memory is of his third round win over Paul Haarhuis on his way to the quarter-finals in 1997. “I won 14-12 in a tiebreaker in the fifth set,” he says. “Everyone was cheering when I hit the ball. It was the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.” Does he still play tennis? He shakes his head. “Tennis will always be a hobby but no, I don’t really play at all,” he replies. “I am a golf addict nowadays.” Tim is relieved his daughters never chose to follow in his footsteps. “They enjoy the game, and I’m glad they do,” he says. “But I am also glad they didn’t want to pursue it in this country. There would have been quite a lot of pressure.”

Tim on court in 2015
(Image: Getty Images)

The retired sportsman also has a great sense of humour. Asked if he’d ever put on fake tan and sparkles to take part in Strictly Come Dancing, he roars with laughter as he reveals, “When I announced in 2007 I was going to retire, the first email I got was from Strictly asking me if I wanted to go on. I danced very briefly at our wedding in 1999 and I couldn’t get off the dance floor quick enough, so I am not going to be on Strictly , that is for sure.” Ant and Dec may, however, have a better chance of luring him on to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! “I would rather not,” he says. “But I think if I had to choose one, that would be a lot better than dancing!” He is very much enjoying his work as a TV commentator and his role at Wimbledon, and hopes the next decade will bring “more of the same”. “I’ve always said I have never had a real job and I don’t want one now,” he adds. “If the next 10 years look like the 10 years I’ve just had, then I would sign for that in a heartbeat.” As for his tips for Britain’s future budding tennis stars, Tim declares, “Work hard and play hard, enjoy the process and dream big. If you can be out there playing the biggest and best tournaments in the world, there is a lot to be said for that. I would do it all again tomorrow.” Tim will be part of the BBC’s presenting team at Wimbledon, which is on now Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnStrictly Come DancingAndy MurrayWimbledonI’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

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