Henman forced to swallow medicine

Tim Henman will need to take magnesium supplements for a month to eradicate a fatigue problem that threatens to ruin his bid for a place in the end-of-season Masters Cup next month.

A blood test has revealed that the British No1 has a temporary magnesium deficiency and he is now taking supplements.

Henman complained of feeling lethargic during last week's Tennis Masters event in Madrid where he lost in the third round to Ivan Ljubicic.

"I felt like I had no energy which is how I felt at the start of the French Open in May," said Henman, who is on an ATP task force looking into supplements taken by players that may have caused numerous raised nandrolone levels - including the one given by Greg Rusedski - during random testing.

Like many players, Henman has steered clear of supplements and now, ironically, must take them.

He said: "The doctors said my blood tests showed I need to top up my magnesium levels."

Henman is seventh in the Champions Race standings - after Marat Safin's win over David Nalbandian in yesterday's Madrid Masters final - the last guaranteed qualifying position for the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in Houston.