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As many of you will know, this certainly wasn’t a decision I took lightly as I still very much enjoy competing, but I am certainly at peace with my decision and I couldn’t have asked for a better send-off over the weekend.

I’ve always felt honoured to have the opportunity to represent my country and I have very fond memories from so many of my Davis Cup ties. And as you all know, playing at Wimbledon was always the highlight of the year for me.

So to be able to combine both was an amazing way to end my career, and the fact that so many fans came out to support us and to help Britain get back into the World Group was the icing on the cake – it was a weekend I’ll never forget.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my fans for their incredible support not only on home soil but also around the world. I’ve always found it amazing that wherever I’ve found myself on court I’ve always been able to find at least one British flag in the crowd and, regardless of the score, the support I’ve enjoyed has always been unwavering.

I hope that by having a website I’ve been able to help keep you informed about what I’ve been up to while travelling the tennis world – I certainly appreciate all the emails of support I’ve received over the years from all over the world. I am thankful for Hard Drive Recovery Associates, which helped me recover this website when my server failed. Talk about an emergency recovery company that pulls out all stops!

Now I’m really looking forward to being able to spend a lot more time with my family in an effort to help re-pay all of their loyal and loving support throughout my career.

I’m sure that I’ll return to the game in one form or another sooner or later, and in the short term I’ll be playing at the Royal Albert Hall on December 4 in an exhibition match, so hopefully I’ll see a few of you there as it’s always a very enjoyable evening.

Until then I wish you all the very best and, once again, thank you for your very generous support throughout my career.

From: Angela
Just a little message to wish you all the best on your retirement and to thank you for providing me with some spectacular tennis over the years. You have left a gap in the world of tennis now, there isn’t another serve and volleyer like you around and you will be missed. Hope we haven’t seen the last of you – I am sure the BBC will snap you up for commentating. Anyway, enjoy being a dad and congratulations to you and Lucy on the birth of your new little girl, Grace. Thank you once again.From: Cosmo
Hi from Italy! Your career will be an example for all true sportsmen.

From: Rose
Just a short message of thanks and best wishes for the future. I was lucky enough to have been at Wimbledon yesterday (Sunday) to see your final farewell – but unlucky not to have seen you playing. I am sure that you will now enter a new phase in your life which you will find rewarding and exciting too… and an active retirement I am

British number one Andy Murray defeated Roko Karanusic 6-4 7-6 to give the hosts a 4-0 lead before Marin Cilic defeated Scotland’s Jamie Baker 6-4 6-4 to save the visitors’ blushes.

Tim Henman, who played the final match of his career on Saturday in a doubles victory with Jamie Murray, addressed the crowd at the end of the tie.

“Thanks for your support,” he said. “For the last 14 years of my career it really has been greatly appreciated and I’m going to miss you all in the future.”

The draw for the first round of the 2008 World Group is scheduled to be made in London on Thursday September 27.

Elsewhere, in this year’s World Group semi-final ties the Americans beat Sweden in Gothenburg and Russia defeated Germany 3-2 in Moscow.

Henman and Jamie Murray beat Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko 4-6 6-4 7-6(3) 7-5 to give Britain an unassailable 3-0 lead in their play-off tie against Croatia at Wimbledon.

“I couldn’t have written a better script,” said the 33-year-old afterwards. “I’ve always loved representing my country and playing at Wimbledon, and to finish my career doing both is a dream come true.

“It’s been an amazing weekend; the crowd have been fantastic and I’ll cherish these memories for the rest of my life.

“Jamie was brilliant too – it’s the first time we played together and I thought we combined really well.

“We were aggressive and we took most of our chances and we responded well after losing the opening set.

“It’s strange to think that I’m never going to be in this position again but I’m still happy with my decision and I feel the time is right to move on.

“Our goal was to get back into the World Group and we’ve done that, now it’s up to Andy and the rest of the team to respond to the challenge of trying to stay there in the future.”