HENMAN: "I PREFER CLAY TO GRASS"

Tim Henman no longer enjoys playing on the grass of Wimbledon and now prefers the softer, slower clay courts found in Paris and Rome, he said today.

In an interview following his second round win over clay court specialist Nicolas Massu, the British number one said the changes made to the Wimbledon courts in recent years have made it more difficult for him to come to the net.

When combined with his growing confidence on clay, as evidenced by his inspired run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros in Paris last year, he now prefers the brown surface to the green, he said: "I find it sometimes harder to come in on a grass court than I do say on clay courts right now."

The net-rusher is still best known for his results at Wimbledon, but last year got further in the gland slam events of France and the US. Wimbledon grass is now 100% "rye" which has made it harder and now favours different styles of player, Henman said.

"What's disappointing about Wimbledon is hyow much I really don't enjoy playing on grass now because it's changed so much," said Rome's number four seed. The changes made to his home surface were "somewhat disappointing."

"The grass court has changed massively. They're so much harder and so true, the ball bounces up a lot higher."

"Here if you're hitting a good shot, you feel like it goes through the court. I think a combination with the grass changing to 100% rye and the balls...it's so soft... the ball almost stops and sits up. And that's why i think you've seen different styles being so much more successful at Wimbledon."

Tim has never got past the third round here in Rome but he looked on-form this afternoon and obviously feels confident on clay. "I wouldn't say clay is my best surface but it's definitely one of my most enjoyable," he said. "It's obviously pleasing how much my game has improved. It goes to show how effective I can be with my style."

а на тоя сафин ще му счупя главата не му гледах мача,
ама 100 % съм сигурна, че е играл несериозно само както той си може.