Henman enthuses about the future

Tim Henman insists his brand of serve-and-volley tennis can help him flourish in his mid-thirties after pledging to play on - perhaps until 2011.

After reaching the Japan Open final earlier this month, Henman marched into the Madrid Masters third round on Tuesday with victory in three sets against 14th seed David Ferrer.

"I think I can play on four or five years probably," he said. "I just want to be enjoying my tennis and obviously playing this type of level. And then if I am playing this type of level, then I can see myself playing for a longer time."

Henman, who will play David Nalbandian in the next round, added: "When I'm playing tennis like this and reaping the rewards from the work that I've put in, I want to enjoy it.

"And I think it's evident in my attitude on the court. I'm pretty relaxed and just trying to take advantage with nothing really to lose."

Ferrer, 24, could not cope with unseeded Henman's attacking methods, and his reaction after the 6-1 4-6 6-1 defeat was that of a man fighting demons in his game.

"It hasn't been a pity. It's been a whole disaster," said Ferrer.

"I don't mean just the serve, but everything. Even if I won a second serve, I think I had many errors. I was not concentrating.

"I didn't find myself at a good point physically or mentally. It's a very negative evaluation.

"I'm okay physically, no health problems. I was playing at home and feeling enthusiastic, but I didn't find myself. This has been one of the worst days of my career."