Broad backs Tim to clear the final hurdle

The sight of Tim Henman being presented with the Olympic tennis gold medal in Athens may be too far-fetched for many to imagine, but the British No1 came close in 1996 and is relishing the chance to confound the doubters again.

Henman is the proud owner of an Olympic silver medal, won alongside doubles expert Neil Broad in Atlanta after the pair lost the final to the Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde. It was Britain's first tennis medal for 72 years.

Henman may be one of Britain's longer shots for gold, in the singles, but, given the Athens tennis centre is hard court and they are using the US Open balls that he favours, there are reasons to be hopeful.

He said: "I had a great time in Atlanta. It would have been great to have come back with a gold medal but I'm still immensely proud of being part of the British team and also being able to come back with something special to show for it."

That something special - an Olympic medal - has pride of place in Broad's Cape Town home, although visitors don't see the real version. "The actual silver medal is locked away in a safe but my wife had a replica made - also in silver - and that's the one I have on display," said 37-year-old Broad.

"I was back for Wimbledon in June and played golf with Tim and it was very interesting to hear him talking about Paul Annacone. What Paul has got Tim doing is not worrying about winning and losing. He's got him enjoying his tennis. Tim should do well on the hard courts in Athens and I have high hopes for him. A gold medal would be awesome."

Broad, who is now working as a coach in his country of birth, South Africa, added: "I remember feeling the pressure as we got later into the tournament. I had to serve to win one match and could feel my legs giving way. That's how it was getting to me.

"I suppose I had more expectations than Tim when we started the doubles event and he gradually started to feel the same way. It was critical to win the semi-final but then we came up against the Woodies."

Now it is up to Henman to go one better.