Tim Henman has made it clear that the iconic Henman Hill at Wimbledon will not be renamed, jokingly asserting his ownership of the grassy slope. The British tennis legend, who reached four Wimbledon semi-finals and now serves on the All England Club board, dismissed any suggestion of a name change during an appearance on Andy Roddick's Served Media podcast.
Henman's Firm Stance on the Hill's Name
When Roddick asked if Henman refers to the area as 'my hill,' the 51-year-old quipped: 'My hill. I mean, I own it, so why wouldn't I?' Roddick then suggested it might be renamed 'Mount Murray' after two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, prompting Henman to joke: 'Never heard of him.' He added: 'You can't change its name. Once something as important as that has a name, you're not going to change the name of Centre Court, so why are you going to change the name of Henman Hill? I rest my case.'
Henman's Wimbledon Legacy
Henman carried British hopes for years, coming closest to the title in a five-set semi-final loss to eventual champion Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. The hill, officially known as the Aorangi Terrace, became synonymous with his passionate supporters who gathered there to watch his matches on a giant screen. Despite Andy Murray ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion in 2013, the hill retains Henman's name informally.
Coaching Offers from Federer and Murray
Henman also revealed he turned down coaching offers from Roger Federer and Andy Murray, saying: 'A long time ago I had two coaching offers, Federer and Murray, and I said no to them both so I think I've set the bar pretty high.' He explained that a coaching role would require doubling his current 12 weeks of annual travel, which he lacks the desire for. However, he left the door slightly open, adding: 'It may change. I'd be very surprised if it does but I'll never say never because I love tennis.'
Current Role at Wimbledon
Now a television pundit and All England Club board member, Henman remains a fixture at the Championships. His lighthearted comments reaffirm that Henman Hill, a beloved gathering spot for fans, will keep its unofficial name, much to the delight of spectators who continue to flock there each summer.
