The clench of the fist, the constant chants of "Come on Tim" from the crowd and the nail-biting five-set matches is not only what Tim Henman was about but what tennis should be about.

Andy Murray recently claimed that at this stage of his career he is not as good as Henman. This coming from a man who reached the final of the US Open just a couple of months ago.

For Henman to of reached as many semifinals and quarter-finals as he did is an achievement in itself. Take Wimbledon, for example. The legendary Pete Sampras denied him a place in the last four on a number of occasions and despite getting the better over his pal Federer the first time around, the Swiss was just unbeatable afterwards.

Henman was born and lives in Oxfordshire, which is also my birthplace. The majority of this county believe he is a British legend and it is hopeful that he is to play in the Blackrod Masters soon.