Hewitt is 'setting the benchmark for others'

Tim Henman admitted after his defeat to Lleyton Hewitt here yesterday that it was the most disappointing moment of his career.

"Yes, it's more disappointing than in previous years," Henman said. "The person who came through the top half is definitely going to be the favourite for the final. I felt it was going to be a difficult match but one that I felt if I could get through then I'd have a good chance in the final."

Henman acknowledged that the better player on the day won, but he was critical of his own performance. "My game wasn't good enough. As the scoreline suggests, not an awful lot worked."

The British No 1 said he would now concentrate on improving his own game and promised to return as long as he had a chance of winning the tournament.

Henman also insisted that, as good as Hewitt appeared in a match he dominated, the Australian was not about to rule tennis in the manner Pete Sampras once did. "He can be beaten," Henman said. "If sport was a guaranteed thing then it wouldn't be as popular as it is.

"He'll have to come out and prove it again in the final against someone who will be very motivated, though I'm sure the odds are massively in Hewitt's favour.

"He was number one last year, but I don't think we've got to a situation where he is going to dominate it. There are too many good players out there. He's setting the benchmark. He's the best in the world. That's the standard that others have to achieve."

To that end Henman promised to redouble his efforts in his efforts to win that elusive Grand Slam. "I'm always going to give it my best shot and as soon as I don't enter the tournament you'll know that I don't believe I can win any more," Henman said.

"It doesn't get any easier. In the next few days when I reflect on the fortnight I know I've given it my best shot. I couldn't try any harder and that's good enough for me."

Hewitt also insisted Henman could still win Wimbledon. "I was seeing the ball like a football out there today and was passing really well," he said. "But I felt Tim was coming back at me all the time and that I raised the bar when I needed to. It's been an incredible effort by Tim over the last six years or so. I feel sorry for him because we are good mates on tour. But I'm sure it is just a matter of time for him."