Rusedski is finding the going tough

14 April 2012

Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski may still rank as Britain's top two tennis players but the gulf between them has never been wider. With Wimbledon approaching, Henman is in buoyant mood after his unexpected run to the semi-finals of the French Open. His Davis Cup teammate, however, is in the doldrums having failed to win a tour match this year.

Deeply affected by the nandrolone controversy for which he was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing in March, Rusedski's form has suffered badly.

The latest setback was a 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 defeat by South Korea's Hyung-Taik Lee in the first round of the Stella Artois Championships at Queen's.

He will now take up a wildcard entry at next week's Nottingham Open in a desperate bid to improve his game before the start of Wimbledon on 21 June.

Rusedski, who has slipped to 103 in the world rankings, said: "It's tough to come back at any time and this one is the most difficult. In 2003, I didn't play very much because I had two surgeries. Then I had to come back again and deal with all that rubbish for seven months.

"It's frustrating because my mind knows what I need to do out there, but it's not happening. So I just have to get more matches and get ready for Wimbledon. It doesn't get any easier, but hopefully this is a stepping stone."

Rusedski, who will be 31 in September, also insisted he has no intention of retiring from tennis, taking inspiration from other 30-somethings who have turned their careers around.

He said: "Goran Ivanisevic is still out there. Andre Agassi was 141 in the world at one point and everybody was writing him off, now he is playing great tennis. I'm not 35 like Andre. I am 30. There is still something left in me.

"It's very difficult to expect a lot considering-what I've been through the past seven months. I have always managed to come back strong but this one has been most difficult. I have just got to find a way."

Rusedski's troubles stand in marked contrast to Henman who has risen to No5 in the world rankings following his outstanding performances in Paris. The 28-year-old, who plays Karol Beck or Gilles Elseneer at Queen's tomorrow, believes a strong grass-court campaign can take him even further up the ladder.

He said: "Number five is one off my highest but there is no reason why I can't keep building on that and I'd be disappointed if it didn't improve.

"With the attitude change I've undergone over the past six or seven months (since joining up with coach Paul Annacone), I'm excited about this month.

"I don't have a grass title yet, but I've come pretty close. If I can win this tournament, it would be important for me. I always feel something special on grass, it suits my game and I certainly give this event priority."

Behind the big two, some of Britain's lesser lights have made an unexpectedly impressive start to the Stella Artois championships. Jonathan Marray, 23, recorded the biggest win of his career by knocking out Belgium's Christophe Rochus and will now meet fellow Briton Jamie Delgado in the second round. Delgado overcame nearly 300 places in the world rankings to stun big-serving American Taylor Dent.

Marray had further reason to celebrate when, along with Rusedski and Lee Childs, he was handed a wild-card entry to Wimbledon, thereby avoiding the need to qualify for the tournament. Ivanisevic, Agassi and Andy Roddick are all in action at Queen's today.

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Rusedski is finding the going tough

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