Henman issues challenge

Tim Henman has challenged the next generation of Davis Cup stars to stand up and be counted after completing his illustrious career by leading Great Britain back into the World Group.

Henman produced two masterful performances to help finish off Croatia inside two days at the All England Club, and ensure GB's place in Thursday's draw for the elite stages of the competition.

"Let's hope that in the next five months the likes of Alex Bogdanovic and Jamie Baker can step up again," said Henman. "A World Group tie playing against one of the top nations in the world is not something they should be intimidated by. They should really look at it and think, 'what an unbelievable opportunity'."

He added: "I think if you go back seven or eight years and we had a World Group tie coming up, people would have taken a step backwards and said, 'well, I'm a bit out of my depth there'.

"And I think now there has been a change of approach. Mentally people are now saying, 'you know what, I fancy a piece of this' and that is where things are definitely changing for the positive."

Henman sat out Sunday's dead rubbers and watched Andy Murray polish off Roko Karanusic 6-4 7-6 before Jamie Baker was defeated 6-4 6-4, ensuring a final winning margin of 4-1 to Great Britain.

And the four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist admitted he expected to struggle with the concept of retirement, saying: "It's just bizarre because even when I haven't done anything for a day, it's always been for a reason.

"When I woke up on Sunday morning I thought, 'what's going on, there must be something round the corner' and there isn't. That will take time to adjust to and it's not something I will be able to do for ever."