Britain’s Tim Henman has said he will no longer play in the Davis Cup because of his ambition to win a Grand Slam crown.
The news is a major blow to captain Jeremy Bates, with Greg Rusedski’s Davis Cup future also far from certain.
Henman is yet to win a Grand Slam. In 2004, he made the semifinals of the French and US Open and has been a Wimbledon semifinalist four times.
”At this stage in my career, the combination of the Davis Cup format and the rigours of the ATP tour have made it necessary for me to make this decision,” he told his personal website, Timhenman.org.
”After much deliberation I’m confident this offers me the best opportunity to fulfil some unachieved goals I have left in the game.
”I’ve really enjoyed working under Jeremy Bates and I know much of what he has put in place since becoming captain has been appreciated by all concerned.
”I’m sure he will continue to do an excellent job and concentrate his efforts on the next generation of players.”
Britain lost in Austria last year, which left them floundering in the Euro-African Zone one, and they are due to play in Israel in March.
Bates paid tribute to Henman.
”Tim has quite simply had a phenomenal Davis Cup career and it has been an absolute privilege to have captained the team with him in it,” said the captain.
”Tim’s magnificent record speaks for itself and while it is a great loss I completely understand and respect his decision to retire from Davis Cup and focus on the Grand Slams and Tour.
”Looking to the future, this decision obviously marks a watershed in British Davis Cup tennis but it is also a huge opportunity for the next generation to make their mark.
”We have a host of talented players coming through and despite losing someone of Tim’s calibre, I remain very optimistic about the future.” — Sapa-AFP