Let’s get one thing straight before I get firebombed by Henman supporters (those who remain after the emergence of the Scottish Andy Murray as the next ‘Great White Hope‘).
Tim Henman seems like a decent guy. He handles himself well on court, with one notable exception, and equally he handles the frankly manic pressure he has been put under for 14 solid years to win Wimbledon on behalf of the british (broadcasting corporation). He even had the sense of humour to make a joke (and an ad, and probably some money) out of the passing of the guard when Henman Hill became ‘Murray Mound’ as soon as the young Scot emerged as a much more serious contender in last year’s competition.
Despite all this, and the hilariously cheesy ads for Persil, I can’t like him, and I won’t like him, and I sure as all hell won’t support him.
You see, it’s bad enough that the BBC are openly obsessed. Opening this year’s broadcast, Sue Barker broke the sorry news that the rains were coming - and Murray was not. Within the same breath, Henman Hill was reborn, and, in between some fairly obnoxious interviews with Murray’s mother and coach begging for a date when they could once again harass poor Andy, the focus shifted. Henman would be crowned king once more. Even John McEnroe, in his usual seat at the commentator’s box, couldn’t keep quiet about this very open obsession with ‘he who might be champion’ (whoever he might be).
Miraculously, this attitude isn’t the reason I could never support Tim Henman.
It comes down to the people who do support him - not Sue Barker, not the rest of the BBC’s hideously biased staff (I can almost forgive them that, given where they’re from and all that), but the individuals on seats at centre court.
Wimbledon sells itself on tradition - all Pimms and strawberries and white-only tennis gear. One of the key traditions in lawn tennis (that being the official name) is basic respect for your opponent. Crucial to this concept, particularly in a public match, is that your supporters respect your opponent too. Not so with Henman though.
When Henman plays, and wins, the world is wonderful, birds sing in trees, the sun comes out, and the strawberries taste that much sweeter.
When Henman starts losing, the crowd get behind him, in a big way.
Then the evil thing happens. Henman’s opponent gets a little knocked off course by the constant mexican wave. Henman’s opponent ups his unforced errors. The crowd…. cheers. Yes, it’s true, and it’s disgusting. You don’t cheer an unforced error. Ever. Even if Federer is 6-0 6-0 5-0 and 40-0 up against some poor qualifier from west kerry, you do not cheer an unforced error. Unless you’re supporting Henman.
When Henman starts losing, the crowd gets behind him, so much so that his opponent may hit a double fault. Then what? The crowd cheers. The whole crowd stands, and applauds, and cheers. Let me be clear about this again. Even if Federer is 6-0 6-0 5-0 and 40-0 up against your childhood best friend who overcame great personal hardship to get from the skeilig islands to Wimbledon centre court - YOU DO NOT CHEER A DOUBLE FAULT. EVER.
Unless you’re cheering for Henman. Henman the Good, Henman the Great, Henman the Great British Hope.
It’s disgusting. They should be banned for life.
