Henman holds torch for a tennis boom

John Lloyd: New-model Tim has proved he is tough enough to win the big games and take his place in the pantheon

The delaying of the Wimbledon men's final until tomorrow means that Pat Rafter, at ease in his hotel with his feet up, will not know until this afternoon who he faces, whether it will be Tim Henman or Goran Ivanisevic. In either case, a great Wimbledon final would appear to be in store.

If it's Henman, he would be facing someone who almost plays the way he does. Tim has a chipped return, Pat does the same. They both love to volley and their skill on the serve is very close. If it's Goran, you need to batten down the hatches. Goran can win any match because he is so dangerous but I find it hard to believe that someone who needed a wild card to get into Wimbledon and who has played so few matches this year can sustain another match at the highest level. In the three other Wimbledon finals he has reached, he thought he was going to win, thought he should win, especially the last one against Sampras in 1998. So he put pressure on himself and when the crunch points came he let himself down.

During the past two weeks he has removed that burden. All the television stuff about the "three Gorans" has created a fun atmosphere and he has played a lot better for it.

When it comes to experience you have to hand it to Rafter in either case because he has won two US Opens and was in last year's Wimbledon final. But if Tim is involved in the final I would go for him to win because I have said from the start this would turn out to be his year. On this very occasion, on Centre Court 12 months ago, Rafter admitted he choked against Pete Sampras in the 2000 final. Who am I to disagree with that comment? But with Henman involved it would be a totally different atmosphere, even from last year's final, with Henman and his great support an extra element for Rafter to deal with.

It would be a very close match but I would expect Henman's nerve to see him through, just. This may sound strange because Tim's critics could point to his double-faults and the fact that his forehand sometimes lets him down. But that has not happened at this Wimbledon.

As for Rafter, apart from Tim this likeable Aussie is the guy I would love to see win Wimbledon. He is so good for the game, one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. He knows the history of the sport, knows where his place is, what he has to do for the game.

Plus the fact that his style of play is so attractive and popular with the crowds. He is a no-nonsense type who tries 150 per cent every match. If it should happen that Rafter does end up holding the trophy today I really hope we will hear no more of this talk about him retiring. Pat is a star and he is great for the game of tennis. It was thrilling to see him beat Agassi so marvellously in Friday's semi-final. I like Andre but Rafter is a class act.

It is fascinating that Tim has travelled so far this year without a coach at his side. To me, that shows his long-term relationship with David Felgate was stale. Making the break with David made Tim look at himself, made him think more about things. You get into a relationship with a coach if it has gone on for years, so Henman was forced to wonder about what was not going right and rely on himself instead of having someone to carry his bag. It has been good for him, part of the growing up factor.

Which is just as well. If Tim does not win the title it is still a good story. He would be Sportsman of the Year material, no doubt about it. But it wouldn't be the greatest tennis story of all time. On the other hand, if he wins the whole thing Henman will find himself on a level with any British athlete ever. I read in one paper that as a Wimbledon winner Tim could expect to make an extra £2 million. Rubbish. He would make five times that, and more, from being Wimbledon champion. There would not be too many hardships left in the Henman family.

His whole reputation as a player would be lifted. The myth about him not being a big-match player would disappear, and he would take his game to another level at the other Grand Slams. It would be a whole new Henman.

A win for Tim would also create a tennis boom in Britain. I do not think it would rival what Boris Becker did in Germany or Bjorn Borg in Sweden – we have not come far enough in Britain for that to happen, we are not in tune enough with tennis. But thousands more people would pick up the game if we were to get a British winner of the Wimbledon title. The carry-over effect would be huge.

The crucial factor will be whether or not we know what to do if it does happen, whether we can take it to the next level and have things in place ready to capitalise on the publicity because Tim Henman is going to be an absolute mega star. He already is in many ways, but if he won Wimbledon his status would go through the roof.