THE SCOOP: FRIDAY, JANUARY 3

British media face a Slam without their stars

By Sandra Harwitt
tennisreporters.net

The loyal corps of British media will flock to Melbourne for the Australian Open in less than two weeks time, but this year they arrive disappointed from the outset. In previous visits, they gathered in Australia with great vim and vigor, hoping that either Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski would provide them with the ultimate story – a Grand Slam victory on Rod Laver Arena.

This year will be different because injuries have sidelined both Henman and Rusedski – the former is still healing from arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in November and the latter is mending from surgery in October on a recurring right foot problem.

Henman's official website – http://www.timhenman.org – relayed the unfortunate news that the British No. 1 will not be competing at the Australian Open, missing his first Grand Slam appointment in eight years. The website quoted the 28-year-old star as saying, "This was a very difficult decision to make. I've been working hard and much progress has been made, but it's not quite there yet and I've said all along that I was only going to make the trip to Australia if I felt my shoulder was fully recovered. Having only just got back on to the practice court I feel I would be rushing my rehabilitation if I was to compete in five-set matches in just over two weeks' time, so my long-term health has to come first."

The 29-year-old Rusedski was s a bit more optimistic about his chances of being ready to play, actually traveling to the Doha tournament before determining he was not able to compete this week.

"As soon as I put more stress on it (my foot), it was not good," said Rusedski, the US Open finalist in 1997. "We have too much tennis and too many changes of balls and surfaces and I am not 21 anymore. With the traveling and so much tennis, that's what causes injuries and you have to be clever with the scheduling."

SHIPPING OFF TO DOWN UNDER

While many might think the British press would stay home under the circumstances, it is more than likely they will all venture forth, having purchased airline tickets months ago and hotel reservations all sewn up. But it will be a new situation for the British media, who will not have Tim and Greg to baby-sit until both of the lads have taken their leave of the tournament. And baby-sit they always did, even those writers who preferred not to be solely focused on their two stars from home. Like it or not, every shot, every game, every set and every word that Tim and Greg utters is news back home.

For some, going into the Australian Open without the Henman-Rusedski act in tow will be an uncomfortable feeling;it's just not right not to be writing on the boys. And you can bet that some of these reporters will actually find a way to turn the goings on into reports about Tim and Greg, wondering how they would have fared, calling them back home to see how their health is progressing and asking other players how it feels not to have the British twosome in the draw.

For others, however, the lack of Henman and Rusedski will be seen as a liberating experience, no disrespect intended. What happens for many writers from smaller countries with less than a handful of players of their own, they tend to have to emphasize the comings and goings of those players from their own backyard. Oftentimes the result of this scenario is being forced to provide less coverage to what could be more interesting happenings and results at a tournament. This Australian Open will enable the British writers to write off the stories of the day as their primary responsibility and it should make for an interesting event.

The British media is more than likely going to suffer two disappointments Down Under since most have arranged to stay for the first round Davis Cup tie against Australia, in Australia, the first week in February. Rusedski has already announced he will not compete for his country because of the injury, but Henman has left the door open that if the healing process speeds up, he might show up in time for Davis Cup. But as it stands now, it would be wise not to anticipate Henman being ready for Davis Cup action and even he is, it would be a tall order to expect him to lead Britain past a far weightier Australian contingent.