Why is Tim Henman's face all over the papers again?!

[Moscow Mule]

So they say although I've never seen any evidence of it.

DYOR http://www.lta.org.uk/About-Us/

[Moscow Mule]

<rant>vitirol deleted
</rant>

I think you're being a bit harsh. Tim wasn't good enough to become number one because others were better than him.

At times there were only 3 players in the world who were better than him. Isn't that something to be proud of?

[Bagpuss]

Yeah, he reached eight Wimbledon quarter-finals, and went through to four semi-finals. Greg Rusedski reached one semi-final. I don't know why they keep trying to rename Henman Hill to "Murray Mount" or whatever. It should always be Henman Hill after that whole era when he was the great British hope at Wimbledon.

Rusedski made the US open final didn't he?

Re Henman, he was unlucky to be around at the peak of the second best grass player of all time. If only he were born a bit earlier

[wobbegong]

I think you're being a bit harsh. Tim wasn't good enough to become number one because others were better than him.

That's generally the way it works.

At times there were only 3 players in the world who were better than him. Isn't that something to be proud of?

Yes, of course he should be proud of his achievements at a personal level, but it doesn't equate to a national pride and doesn't entitle him to be lauded as a sporting hero (not in my book, anyway).

Apart from WW2, who ever remembers the runner-ups?

[dang65]

<rant>Oh how I hate this "yes he's a failiure, but he's OUR failure" attitude. We saw this misplaced loyalty with Eddie "The Eagle" (FFS!) Edwards. The simple fact is that while these guys had the highly laudable notion of 'having a go', they simply weren't good enough to win, so we should applaud their plucky effort and move on, not continue to revere them as some latter-day saints. The other inescapable truth is that somewhat quirkily, despite not actually becoming the best in their field, they have become fairy rich.

If a PM constantly failed to put a project to bed either on time or to budget, or a programmers' apps always corrupted data, would they be hailed as shining examples of their crafts, have things named after them, or have their actions (or lack of) defended by people who don't even know them personally?

I suspect not.</rant>

I could understand your ire if Henman had always been knocked out in the 2nd round or something, but he regularly reached the last eight, and got to the last four on four different occasions. This is verging on miraculous when you consider the class of the opposition. Just to get to the standard where you get to play at Wimbledon is a major achievement. To get to the last four of those is magnificent.

The Project Manager analogy doesn't work at all. We'd be talking about the four finest Project Managers in the world, not just one half-capable Project Manager and a load of incompetent idiots. You're probably thinking of the British Government.

[Moscow Mule]

Yes, of course he should be proud of his achievements at a personal level, but it doesn't equate to a national pride and doesn't entitle him to be lauded as a sporting hero (not in my book, anyway).

Apart from WW2, who ever remembers the runner-ups?

It does in mine - I'm proud of any Brit who represents their country on the world stage.

[wobbegong]

I could understand your ire if Henman had always been knocked out in the 2nd round or something, but he regularly reached the last eight, and got to the last four on four different occasions. This is verging on miraculous when you consider the class of the opposition. Just to get to the standard where you get to play at Wimbledon is a major achievement. To get to the last four of those is magnificent.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one dang65. I agree it was a major achievement, and as I've said, he should be justifiably proud at a personal level, I just don't consider it worthy of all the adulation. Repeatedly trying for the number one slot and repeatedly falling short is not what I'd call heroic.

The Project Manager analogy doesn't work at all. We'd be talking about the four finest Project Managers in the world, not just one half-capable Project Manager and a load of incompetent idiots. You're probably thinking of the British Government.

You're probably right!

[dang65]

Repeatedly trying for the number one slot and repeatedly falling short is not what I'd call heroic.

Oh right. I was under the impression you were British. My mistake.

[wobbegong]

Oh right. I was under the impression you were British. My mistake.

Has acceptance of failure finally become synonymous with being British?

Daft question., really.

[PRC1964]

If a PM constantly failed to put a project to bed either on time or to budget, or a programmers' apps always corrupted data, would they be hailed as shining examples of their crafts, have things named after them, or have their actions (or lack of) defended by people who don't even know them personally?

For some inexplicable reason the letters EDS came into my mind when I read that.