Tennis: I'm not quitting insists Henman

He said after his five-set defeat to unseeded Russian Dmitry Tursunov on Centre Court that he fully intends to be back next year.

Asked whether he had thoughts of quitting, Henman told the assembled media: "I would think about it if all of you who are the ninth best in the world and below, quit with me. But there wouldn't be many of you left, would there?"

It is the first time in a decade that the British No 1 has failed to reach the second week at SW19.

And after the brilliant performance of Andy Murray in defeating 14th seed Radek Stepanek in straight sets, it was hard not to see yesterday's events as a changing of the guard in British tennis.

While 18-year-old Murray was leaving Court No 1 in raptures, the 30-year-old from Oxfordshire was again putting 14,000 spectators on Centre through the mill, and struggling to compete in today's power-game.

He courageously saved two set points against the 22-year-old from Moscow, who emigrated to California, but the Russian's 135-mph serves and thumping returns eventually triumphed.

Henman, though, was desperately disappointed not to have won, after appearing to wrest the initiative by hauling himself back from 5-4, 40-15 down in the final set to lead it 6-5.

"To not be able to finish it off and come out with a win is disappointing, it's tough to take," Henman said. "But I've got to give him a lot of credit. I didn't think he could serve that consistently for that long a period. That was a big, big factor."

Tursunov won the epic 3 -hour contest 3-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The 32-degree heat, plus Tuesday's five-setter against Jankko Nieminen, must have taken their toll, but Tim didn't think his advancing years had anything to do with it.

"I don't think it was age," he said. "I think the power that he has and the way that he serves, had a part to play. I'd love to be able to serve 135mph in the corners. I probably can't do that."

Henman played far better than he did against Nieminen but it seemed every time he forced a break point, the Russian then pulled out an ace or unbelievable serve.

"I missed 17 break points and maybe 15 of them were aces or unreturnable," said Henman.

"You sit here and feel somewhat numb, but what can you do? You have to give the other guy credit."

Henman was so frustrated that the lethargic crowd were quiet and not cheering when he made a good shot that he swore as he implored them to make some noise.

The BBC even apologised to viewers for his audible comment.

And afterwards he said:"If I said some bad words, I apologise. These things happen in the spur of the moment when you're out there, competing, wanting to get fired up."

Tursunov said: "I didn't think he played his best match.

"There's so much pressure on him. I don't envy him. When you're break point down, second serve and someone serves 'Come On Tim,' that's difficult."

Henman added: "I was just trying to create an atmosphere. That's something I didn't do a very good job of in the first match. I was very flat.

"I was aware of that. I wanted to do a better job of that. I think to a certain extent it worked. It was a great atmosphere, I'd like to have been able to build on that. But I couldn't do it."

But there's no question of giving up.

"I keep trying. And why not? I love what I do. I'm still pretty good at it. So that's all I can say on it."

Henman admitted feeling frustrated that his game on grass at Wimbledon has not really progressed in the last couple of years.

And with conditions at the All England Club so much slower that they were in the '90s, he now believes that, if he is to win a Grand Slam title, the most likely one would be at Flushing Meadow.

"I would definitely put the US Open first," he said. "Australia and here are similar, I think. Probably the US Open is the quickest."

But Henman himself is not getting any quicker. And the odds are surely now on a Scotsman by the name of Murray getting to a Grand Slam final first . . . whenever that might be.