Lloyd: Tim needs Edberg

Tuesday, 10 April, 2001, 15:44 GMT 16:44 UK BBC Sports
Lloyd: Henman should be converting ability into titles
By BBC Sport Online's Andrew Warshaw
Former British Davis Cup captain David Lloyd says Swedish great Stefan Edberg is the right man to lead Tim Henman to glory.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport Online, Lloyd said the British number one must pick an established champion to replace coach David Felgate.
Henman ended his nine-year association with Felgate on Monday amid increasing speculation that his development was being hampered.
Lloyd, who captained Britain's Davis Cup team for six years, said he was surprised by the timing of the break-up.

I personally believe they were too close
David Lloyd
"Tim has won three tournaments this year and wasn't exactly going through one of his real downers, so I'm surprised this happened when it did," said Lloyd.
"But I always thought that someone like Edberg should have been brought in long ago to help the team for the big tournaments.
"He had a similar style to Tim and the same kind of problems, like his serve suddenly going and losing his forehand. But he learned how to control it."
Lloyd said it was time Henman started performing at major events other than just Wimbledon.
"For a player of his talent, ability and desire, it's strange how Tim is unable to find his form in the Grand Slams except for Wimbledon," he said.
Lloyd said Henman should now consider copying Greg Rusedski by working with a former player for specific tournaments only.

Edberg was a master of the serve-and-volley style
"The French is one thing but there is no reason why he should lose in places like Australia."
"Greg has shown how Pat Cash has helped him," said Lloyd.
"When Pat speaks, Greg listens. Tim doesn't need a full-time coach for someone of his standard, maybe for 20 weeks a year only."
"But he needs someone he can really respect, like Edberg. Players often blame their coach when they lose. Perhaps it was getting to the stage where the belief was going with Tim and David."
Lloyd, who heard the surprise news about the split while on holiday, said the friendship between Henman and Felgate could have worked against them.
"It's always a problem when player and coach become good friends because the coach can't be as brutal as he perhaps wants to," he said.
"I personally believe they were too close. They have grown up together but I think they should have brought in a specialist for the big tournaments to by-pass that friendship."