Tangent 21 - Henman - Bottler or Champion?

Posted by
Whistler

Posted on
22:20
Jun 27 2002

Henman - Bottler or Champion?

Bit surprised no one's started a thread on Wimbledon yet, seeing as we're a week into the tournament.

Anyway...

It's that age old question. Do you think this is the year Tim Henman finally comes good and wins the championship? Has to be said, like the World Cup, this year's tournament has really opened up with so many big names and seeds falling by the wayside.

IMO, I just don't think Henman, or Rusedski for that matter, has the mental toughness to win a Grand Slam tournament. While he can pull out the wins in three set clashes, he's too inconsistent to prevail in a five setter, especially when he's in reach of his target by the time he gets to the second week. In my mind, he will always snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

However, it would be nice to be proven wrong.

What are your thoughts?

(Edited by Whistler 27/06/2002 22:25)

7 Replies and 1062 Views in Total.

Keenangel *Fourteen phonecalls a night??!!*

Personally, i don't think of Henman as a bottler. Each time i've watched him play, he's come across as determined to do the best he can, mostly to win. I really don't think Rusedski has the gumption to win Wimbledon as he always seems to be trailing a little in Henman's shadow.

But hey, Sampras, Safin, Agassi and Ferrero have all been knocked out in the first round. The last time GB won a Wimbledon title was back in 1977 and Virginia Wade won the Women's Singles title, so who knows??.. it's Jubilee year again.. and i personally believe that the Wimbledon title is the one Tim wants the most. Good luck to him!!

Posted: 22:25 Jun 27 2002

Whistler "I wonder wonder why the wonder falls. I wonder why the wonder falls on me. I wonder wonder why the wonder falls, with everything I touch and hear and see."

I've never doubted his determination to win, in fact it's one of the qualities I admire about him. I just think his mental laspses and frustrations are ultimately his downfall.

Okay, perhaps what I should put is 'choker' in that the tension of the moment gets to him and his game comes undone.

(Edited by Whistler 27/06/2002 22:29)

Posted: 22:27 Jun 27 2002

Jola

I have no interest in Wimbledon - can't stand tennis.....

Posted: 22:45 Jun 27 2002

Milky "Busted - Now that you're gone, I'm sleeping with the light on..." Pof, 2005

I'd like to see Henman win...but i think he's a bottler..we'll see.

Posted: 22:51 Jun 27 2002

JtB If someone gives you freedom it is not freedom, freedom is something you take for yourself.

As a Big Tennis Fan No I dont think that Henman has what it takes to win a Grand Slam or any of the major championships.

He probably is Physically able but mentally he wont he hasnt got the mental strengh of Sampras, Becker, Borg ect at their peaks.

Personally I think Sampras needs to win a Grand Slam then hes going to retire.

And my thoughts one who shall win:

L Hewitt Mens

One of the Williams sisters for the womens.

Posted: 22:55 Jun 27 2002

In a State of Dan That's just, like, your opinion, man

No, I don't think Henman's going to win. He's good enough, for sure, but even in todays game, he just lost it for a while at the end of the first set. He can get away with it against lesser players, but not the top ones.
Rusedski has, of course, gone one better than Tim in actually getting to a grand slam final, but I find him irritating, and he's Canadian, dammit!

So Hewitt will probably win the mens, although I really hope he doesn't.

We do, of course, have a British player in the womens, Elena Baltacha, although where her accent comes from I have no idea.

She is pretty good, though. One of the Williams sisters will probably win, although I'd prefer it to be Jelena Dokic myself.

And hey, Martina Navratilova - at 45! - looking pretty good in the doubles.

Posted: 23:17 Jun 27 2002

MaryLou "What else would I wanna pump you for? I really just said that didn't I"

I agree, I don't think Henman is going to win either although like everyone else I would like him too. The poor guy has got so much pressure after the loss at the world cup, all of England's hopes at victory in something are resting on him.
I don't think in the end Tim will be able to live up to the challenge.
I thought it was so sad Sampras going out so early on such a poorly played game of tennis, I would love to see him come back one more time and win, then retire.
Lets just all keep our fingers crossed for Tim although I think he is going to need more than that to win!

Posted: 23:37 Jun 27 2002

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