Henman's tipped for first Slam final in Australia

Tim Henman: high hopes at the Australian Open

14 April 2012

Former world No1 Jim Courier believes Tim Henman can go all the way to the final of the Australian Open, which starts on Monday.

Courier, twice winner of the year's first Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne, is convinced the British No1 can go further than he ever has at Wimbledon, provided he avoids Roger Federer when the draw is made on Friday.

"This must be the most confident Tim has ever felt coming into an Australian Open," said Courier.

"In the last three major events - the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open - he was right in it. He went semi-finals, quarter-finals, semi-finals, so he has got to be thinking this is his best look so far at going deep into the Australian Open draw. Is Australia somewhere that he can push it another level past the semi-finals? It certainly is.

"Like everyone else, he has to hope he is not in Federer's side of the draw, but he has every reason to feel great about his chances coming in. His 'kick' serve is pretty reasonable and Tim's always been in pretty good shape, so I don't see any problem as far as the courts or the conditions go. Plus, he has a new baby daughter [Olivia], and that has to be inspiring as well."

Courier will be in Australia to provide television commentary for the host-broadcaster, Channel 7 and, not surprisingly, he tips Federer for the men's title again.

"I think everyone has to be wondering 'How do you beat Federer?" said Courier. "He's not only beating guys, he's crushing them, and I'm talking about guys in the top 10.

"He has not even been pushed by a guy like Lleyton Hewitt, who was playing the second best tennis in the world at the end of last year."

One man that has confirmed his intention to challenge the world No1 in Australia is Andre Agassi. Many people wondered whether 2004 would be 34-yearold Agassi's last season on the circuit, but not Courier.

"I was not surprised at all to see that Andre is playing again this season," he said. "He finished another season in the top 10, so why wouldn't he continue? No one's asking the guy ranked No9 when he's going to retire, and Andre is ranked No8. He has obviously found that magic potion that keeps him inspired after 20 years on the tour and it's a marvel.

"He is still a force. The match he played against Marat Safin in the semi-finals of the Australian Open last year proved that. In conversations I have had with him, he was working very hard in Las Vegas to get himself ready for the season and he was incredibly enthusiastic."

Meanwhile, Federer has led calls for tennis to join other sports in raising money for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

Federer said tennis players should follow the example set by the world's top cricketers, who joined forces for a one-day international in Melbourne yesterday which raised more than £6million for the relief effort.

He said: "I straight away was thinking about different options for us to help. If we can help just a bit then I'd definitely play as much as they [organisers] like. Obviously we can't be there to help but I'll play in as many matches as possible throughout the year."

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