I’ll be fine at Wimbledon, says dumped Henman

TIM HENMAN last night insisted his Wimbledon hopes would not be affected by his shock defeat to Slovakia’s Karol Beck in the Stella Artois Championship.

Just 24 hours after former champion Goran Ivanisevic tipped Henman as favourite to triumph at the All England Club, the British number one was deservedly beaten 2-6 6-3 6-7 by the world number 79.

Fresh from his unexpected semi -final appearance at the French Open and on the day he announced he is to become a father for the second time, Henman was full of confidence as he began his grass court campaign.

But he was completely outplayed in the opening set and after recovering to take the second, was unable to convert his solitary match point in front of a stunned Queen’s Club crowd.

It was the first time Henman has lost his opening match here since 2000, when he lost in straight sets to doubles specialist Bob Bryan.

Henman claimed: “I’m disappointed right now but in the context of my Wimbledon preparations I don’t think it will have any bearing at all.”

“I’m playing very, very well and today in the first set he just played some great tennis. In the second and third set my serving was very, very good and I had match point where he hit a great drop shot and followed it up with a lob.

“If I had won one more point it should not really dictate how I feel about my performance. I’m disappointed to lose but the way I’m playing I don’t think it will make any difference. I’ve had disappointing results here in the past and that has not affected playing at Wimbledon.”

Henman will not seek a wild card into the Nottingham Open next week but will probably play an exhibition game to gain some vital competitive match practice.

He continued: “I think I will have a couple of days off to relax and then practice at Wimbledon where the courts are different.

“My movement can definitely improve, making that transition from clay to grass I certainly need to work on and we will definitely do that in the next 10 days.

“I would have liked to have got more matches here but I’m sure a week on Monday I will be ready and raring to go.

“The way I was playing last year and the way I am playing this year is in a different league. It was such a struggle last year, even the matches I was winning.”