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TENNIS: Henman's return was real thrill
North Oxford chairman Mark Wilkinson admitted the club could not believe their luck when Tim Henman agreed to open their new clubhouse.
Since his retirement, Henman (pictured) says that he has been innundated with requests to open and launch various clubs, buildings and many other projects.
But it was his involvement with North Oxford as a youngster - and indeed his father Tony's link with Oxford Hawks Hockey Club, with whom North Oxford share the clubhouse, that prompted him to accept.
"It was great to be back at North Oxford," Henman said.
"My family history goes back a very long way here with both the tennis and hockey clubs.
"It must have been more than 25 years ago that I remember coming here to watch my dad play hockey - and various faces from that time are still here, albeit a few are a bit thinner in places and fatter in others!
"But I remember spending many a day practising on the hard courts here and playing in the Under 12 and Under 14 Oxford Opens.
"And while everyone remembers me winning the under 14 event, my most vivd memory was getting thrashed 6-0, 6-1 on the single hard court in the middle in the under 12s.
"So I have mixed feelings about the club!"
Henman gave up a whole afternoon, and the thrill he gave the enormous number of members with whom he played on the club's grass courts was clearly evident.
He signed autographs, posed for pictures, and even had time to watch some hockey.
Wilkinson said tongue-in-cheek: "Because Tim won the Oxford Open at this club, I think we can definitely say that we played a bit part in developing him."
He added: "It was great that Tim gave up so much of his time to be with us on what was a very special day.
"Our new clubhouse cost £300,000 in total, and really brings both the tennis and hockey clubs together."
Wilkinson did admit that but for a lending hand from the Lawn Tennis Association, things might not have looked quite so good.
"The LTA kindly lent us the last £100k that we needed to build the lobby and ensure that the clubhouse was all one building," he said.
"There was a risk that the middle part might not have been there if it wasn't for this.
"But everyone has chipped in together, tennis players and hockey players.
"And I'm sure everyone will admit the result is just outstanding."
6:20pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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