Henman tips top four to dominate (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Henman tips top four to dominate

11:42am Friday 27th May 2011 in Tennis News By Nathan Woolford

Tim Henman has admitted he can’t see anyone outside of the men’s top four making an impact at this year’s Wimbledon Championships.

The former British number one and four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist will be on hand at this summer’s extravaganza in his role as a BBC pundit, and insists that the men’s competition will be won by one of the big four.

Henman, still a regular visitor to SW19 through his work as an ambassador and Wimbledon committee member, also believes the women’s tournament will be a lot more interesting, citing a transitional period in the world rankings.

However, he is certain that the men’s proceedings will be dominated by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Henman said: “I know it is stating the obvious, but I can’t see the men’s winner coming outside of the top four.

“Djokovic at the moment is in such good form. He will lose at some stage, but his confidence is so important – he is looking so calm and confident on court, and is playing such good tennis.

“Rafael Nadal is the defending champion, and is such a good competitor. Roger Federer has been out of the spotlight recently for the first time in about seven or eight years, and I think he will enjoy that. He’ll be one of the favourites though, and is so impressive on grass.

“And then Andy Murray is keen to get into the mix too. It’s very interesting.”

The women’s tournament would appear a lot more open, with current world number one Caroline Wozniacki having a patchy Wimbledon record, while Serena and Venus Williams have both seen their year so far wrecked by injury.

Hopes will be high for emerging British talent, with Heather Watson having impressed at this year’s French Open, and rookie Laura Robson also out to make an impact.

Henman added: “In the women’s game, it is a strange time. With both Williams sisters having been out of the game recently with injury, it looks like there’s a big opportunity for the rest of the women’s game.

“It’s much more wide open this year, and it’s going to be very interesting.

“British tennis has turned around really. British women have had some good results lately, especially at the French Open, but I don’t want to get too carried away.

“Heather Watson has shown good progress in the way she’s gone about improving her game and I would like to see her build. She had a great tournament in France. I would also like to see Laura Robson come on. She is a big talent, and I hope she uses her injury setback to push on and build.”