On the eve of Wimbledon, Tim Henman is looking tanned and feeling confident. ''In the last seven or eight months my game has probably improved more than it has in the past seven or eight years,'' he explains. ''I couldn't be more excited or optimistic.''

Tim credits good old-fashioned hard work for the improvements in his tennis, but says his on-court attitude has changed too.

''I think I ended up almost trying too hard before and putting too much pressure on myself to win, which restricted my performance. I look at how I played at Wimbledon last year and in 2002 and, at my level, I couldn't have played any worse.

''Now I feel more relaxed on court which lets you play more freely. I think I'm capable of beating anyone. Being a dad, and working with my new coach Paul Annacone - who has coached seven-time champion Pete Sampras - has had a big impact on my game.''

Tim says that since the birth of his daughter, 19-month-old Rosie, he's looked at life differently.

''Rosie's not interested in whether I've won or lost, or had a good or bad day. She wants your undivided attention, her food, bottle or whatever. It's a good way of keeping things in perspective.''

Tim, 29, and wife Lucy, 32, who married in 1999, recently announced that they're expecting their second child in December.

''I'm about to become a dad again and it's really exciting. Double-trouble. Come December my life will be over, that's for sure!''

But between now and then he has to play some serious tennis.

'I don't fear anyone,'' he says. ''At this level it's about finding a way to win seven matches in 14 days in the best of five sets. I've been in the semis a few times and there's no reason I can't go further. That means getting into the Wimbledon final - and hopefully winning it.''

Reaching the semis at this year's French Open has definitely boosted his morale.

''That was a huge breakthrough. Winning breeds winning, and I'm looking forward to building on that.''

As Wimbledon fortnight kicks off, Henmania will inevitably take hold in Britain. So what does it feel like to have the pressure of a nation's hopes on your shoulders?

''If you're on court and you're thinking about the 15,000 people watching courtside, the 7,000 people on Henman Hill and the 15 million TV viewers, it would be impossible. You've got to take the selfish approach. I'm playing for myself,'' he explains.

''I'm going to win for myself and, if I lose, I don't blame anyone else but me.''

Among the spectators will be Tim's parents and, when her work as a TV director allows, his wife Lucy.

Says Tim: ''They get just as nervous as everybody else. My mum's a better watcher than my dad, who's played a lot of sport. Lucy watching has no bearing on my game, and Rosie won't be there. She'd rather be playing in the park with the dog or her toys.''

So talented a player was Tim that he left school after his GCSEs to concentrate on tennis. This has left him with a vested interested in up-and-coming junior players - which is why he's at the heart of the annual search for the Ariel Tennis Ace.

In April 2004, scouts descended on Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh and London, looking for young new hopefuls aged between nine and 12. Four finalists were selected from each region, and carefully tested by coaches from the Lawn Tennis Association.

On June 14, Tim selected two winners: Samantha Kenshole, ten, from Exeter, and Marshall Ose Tutu, 12, from Essex. The talented pair win a Masterclass with John McEnroe during the Wimbledon Championships, a year's free coaching, tennis equipment, and the chance to progress into the Ariel Champions of the Future programme.

''When I'm playing tournaments around the world you notice the number of kids playing the game is far higher in other countries than it is here.

'Ariel's providing a great opportunity and investment to get more kids playing. I'm not going to play forever and I want to make sure there's a good crop of youngsters to take on the mantle,'' says Tim, who envisages another four years in the game, health allowing.

He's hoping his own children won't take on a career in tennis.

''There's definitely part of me that hopes they do something else,'' says Tim. ''Maybe because there'd be the constant comparison with me. Part of me wants them to do something normal. It's important they think about what they're interested in and want to do.''

Meanwhile, daughter Rosie's taking after her dad in other ways.

''I've always been pretty hyperactive and she's certainly got a lot of energy. She's talking a bit more and she's been walking for a while now. She's charging around and getting more confident,'' says Tim, proudly.

Currently the couple have no idea how many children will make the Henman troop complete.

''How many is a troop anyway?'' he laughs. ''We're really excited, but who knows if we'll have a troop? I was one of three children, and so was Lucy.

''If you can have a happy and healthy child, then you're pretty fortunate. It's too tough to predict how many we'll have.''

Predicting a glorious win at Wimbledon is just as tricky - but this year Tim's definitely not short on optimism.

''I'm playing better than I've ever played, so I'm feeling pretty good about my chances. There's no reason why this can't be my year.''

l Wimbledon preview: see today's Echo Sport