17/06/2012 08:09 CEST - Rassegna Internazionale

Intervista a Tim Henman: punto su Serena e Novak Djokovic (The Guardian)

Hey Tim; how's everything going?
TH: Yeah it's good, been a pretty full on day.

Of course, you've been giving a group of school children an introduction to tennis on behalf of the Wimbledon Championships partner HSBC. What advice have you been giving to any of them looking to get involved and follow in your footsteps?
TH: I think one of the most important aspects is enjoying it. With HSBC it is really about working with the community and we have got two primary schools down here and a lot of them have never played tennis before, so to give them the opportunity out on the court and hitting balls is one thing but as I know with my three kids, if they don't enjoy what they're doing, then they're not going to do it again. Which is why the big emphasis is on having fun and hopefully they will continue in the future.

Well, I'm sure they've all had a great day as well. What is your opinion on the standard of British tennis? Is there anything you would like to see changed?
TH: It is definitely improving. For me it is about investment in grassroots, if you want to produce top-class players, then you have got to be going into the schools and you have got to get the kids who are in first-level rugby, first-level cricket and get them playing tennis. I mean it will be the same group but they're the ones with the athletic ability and if you get them playing tennis, then you have got the raw materials to work with. If you miss out and they go to the other sports, then you haven't got the raw materials. That's the big challenge and that doesn't come cheaply but with the money the LTA has I would be targeting the grassroots.

Hopefully, we will see some more investment over the next few years then.
TH: It's definitely happening but I would prioritise it and make sure a massive amount goes into that area.

It's an incredible summer of sport with Euro 2012 underway and the Olympics coming up, sandwiching Wimbledon. What are you most looking forward to at SW19 this year?
Again it's all about watching the battle among the men's top four continuing. Obviously [Novak] Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer have been so dominant so it will be interesting to see if [Andy] Murray can get in on that group. It's always an exciting time but with the Euros at the same time its going to be amazing.

Do you think Murray's buildup to the tournament could hamper him? He lost his first game at Queen's and has been struggling with injury…
TH: I have seen him quoted as saying that he is looking to put the back issue behind him and he feels it is better and grass will help him with that. It's softer under foot and the ball doesn't bounce as high and the rallies aren't as long, so that's definitely in his favour. The reality is though that playing against Djokovic, Federer and Nadal when you're 100% fit is as tough as it gets, so if he's not at 100%, it makes it virtually impossible.

Speaking of Nadal, do you think he can regain the title after his impressive French Open victory?
TH: I would say Djokovic is probably my favourite. Four grand slam finals in a row and he has won three of them. But you know its "apples and oranges" with those three. I mean just because Federer hasn't won for a couple of years doesn't mean he should be ignored. I think he will be keen and with his record on grass courts and success at Wimbledon he will fancy his chances.

So what about the women's tournament? What do you think of Maria Sharapova's chances after she regained the world No1 ranking having won the French Open?
TH: Yeah that's a great story. I mean coming on to the scene so young, winning Wimbledon when she was 17 and then the last couple of years she has had shoulder trouble and she was definitely having her struggles and for her to complete her career grand slam is an unbelievable achievement. You know grass is probably an even better surface for her but I actually think Serena Williams is going to be wanting to put the record straight.

Serena would equal her sister Venus's five titles if she won, which would be some record. As a four-times semi-finalist at Wimbledon, what is your fondest memory?
TH: It's tough to narrow it down to one. My first match on Centre Court where I played [Yevgeny] Kafelnikov in 1996 was pretty special. He was the French Open champion and I think he was No3 in the world and I saved two match points and won 7-5, 7-6. I was lucky to play on the middle Sunday which has only happened three times at Wimbledon and the atmosphere was something I had never experienced before. Also getting through to the semis, beating Federer at Wimbledon... I have a few memories.

Finally, as a scratch golfer, will you be keeping an eye on the US Open this weekend?
TH: Yes definitely, I was watching some of the previews going on and checking out the pairings, you know [Rory] McIlroy, [Lee] Westwood and [Luke] Donald and the course just looks brutal.

It does, I saw some footage of it earlier but it should make for an interesting tournament. Do you think McIlroy will retain his title?
TH: I don't think he is favourite but he is such a great player despite having a bit of bad form the last couple of months. I think it might be Westwood's time.