THE grass can grow again on Henman Hill, unsquashed by patriotic bottoms. Traders, after a quick Wimbledon buck, have quietly swapped Union flag hats for pricey strawberry punnets. Centre court will no longer echo to the raucous scream, "Come on, Tim!"

Not until next year, at least. Mr Henman has vowed to try again to win the world's best tennis tournament. As he always does.

There are those who denigrate Tim's efforts as epitomising Britain's dismal sporting role as the plucky loser. But if he weren't there, the only domestic interest in Wimbledon week two would be Cliff Richard's singalong. A sobering thought indeed.

Updated: 11:33 Friday, July 04, 2003