He looked like the team's anchor yesterday. After some points, Henman not only did a fist pump, but jabbed an emphatic finger towards Murray. It was the latter who lost his serve to give Croatia the first set, but Henman remained resolute, there were many on-court discussions between the partners and the team pulled through some nervy moments, including surviving break points on the Murray serve in the fourth and final set. Tim was playing as freely as he was on Friday. Of course, we saw plenty of his trademark volleys. And the match finished on a winner from his racquet. Perhaps he was spurred on by the fact that Marin Cilic, the man who beat him at Queen's this year, was facing him across the net (along with Lovro Zovko). But I doubt that Tim needed any such incentive yesterday.
I had to feel a little sorry for the Croatian team. Deprived of Ivan Ljubicic, Marin Cilic had become their main player. From what I've seen of him this year, he's likely to climb the rankings, and shows some very nice touch on grass. But it must have been intimidating to be on court for what the crowd hoped would be Henman's final match - he won't play today, of course. John Lloyd compared the crowd at the end to a "fifth player", and he's not far wrong. Many of the Croatian fans were seated in one area, and they were well organised with their chanting and rhythmic clapping and pounding, but the locals had a huge advantage in the noise department.
Tim's wife Lucy, his two elder daughters Rosie and Olivia, and his parents were all there watching yesterday. So was his coach, Paul Annacone. Andy Murray and Brad Gilbert were there at the start, but disappeared part way through, perhaps to practise. Andy reappeared at the end, to stand by the courtside while Tim and his brother were interviewed, and then to walk on court with the rest of the team. There were no wild scenes - Tim wasn't carried round the court on the shoulders of his teammates (as happened to Tommy Haas earlier this year when Germany beat Croatia). And Tim himself seemed at peace with his decision. There could have been tears as he walked away, but instead, Tim chose to pick up his daughter, Rosie, and wave to the crowd one last time while encouraging her to wave too.
There were plenty of pictures published of Tim and Rosie yesterday - I managed to grab this one. At least we don't have to worry that Tim Henman won't have plenty to fill his life after tennis. Though it's hard not to wonder how our Davis Cup team will cope in the World Group next year, even assuming that Andy Murray agrees to anchor the team, which isn't a sure bet. The draw for next year's World Group matchups takes place on Thursday. The euphoria could be short-lived.
-- Rosangel
(Note: I'm still sorting out the other pictures I took during the tie, and will post a link here when they are ready)
