Four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman believes there is a lot more to come from Britain's top tennis stars after a strong start to their North American campaign.
Emma Raducanu shocked the world on her way to winning the US Open last year as a teenage qualifier. But it is not just Raducanu who is carrying the hopes of the nation in the build-up to Flushing Meadows.
At the Canadian Open last week, Dan Evans reached two semi-finals, narrowly missing out on an all-British semi-final after Jack Draper was beaten in his quarter-final by eventual champion Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain.
Add in Cameron Norrie's performance in reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon, and there is no question that British tennis is riding high, with Henman tipping them to kick on.
"Dan has played well and I think there's a very positive vibe around British tennis at the moment both on the men's and the women's side,” said Henman, who was talking at 'Play Your Way to Wimbledon' Powered by Vodafone.
"If you look at the results in Canada this week, with Jack Draper qualifying and making quarters of a Masters 1000, Evans in the semis, Cam Norrie has played fantastically well this year making the semis of Wimbledon.
"I've been watching the Canadian Open a little bit, there's been some amazing matches.
"The (Carlos) Alcaraz and Tommy Paul one (the American won in three sets) was an incredible match but to see the Brits playing well it's been fantastic and there's still going to be a lot more good tennis to come.
"Obviously on the back of Raducanu winning the US Open last year and some of the results on the women's side there's a lot to be positive about.
"And I think they are very important role models to inspire the next generation along with event like this."
Henman spoke at the 'Play Your Way to Wimbledon' finals last week where he was joined by more than 100 junior tennis players who had won the chance to play at the iconic venue.
The 47-year-old also took part in a coaching clinic on the lawns of SW19 to help motivate the next generation of British tennis stars.
And with the event held at such an historically iconic venue as Wimbledon, Henman was eager to reflect on Norrie's performance on the grass this year.
The current British number one made it all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Novak Djokovic in four sets, but his success is only set to continue in Henman's eyes.
He said: "It shows that he's capable of competing well on any surface and I think that in terms of the British public, he's probably been a bit under the radar but he's a guy that stands in the top 20, he's been in the top 10.
"To be through to the semis it’s a great result and it's only going to increase his belief in his best events."
Play Your Way to Wimbledon, Powered by Vodafone, is a junior tournament that gives players an opportunity to follow in their heroes’ footsteps and compete on the grass courts at Wimbledon. The All England Club and LTA are proud to partner with Vodafone to relaunch and expand the largest individual mass participation tennis competition in the UK – for more information visitwimbledon.com
