SUSSEX was in the grip of Henmania today as tennis star Tim Henman bid for Wimbledon glory.

Fans across the county were willing the 23-year-old star to victory in his semi-final against defending champion Pete Sampras.

Henman has banished the nation's World Cup blues by becoming the first British man to reach the Wimbledon singles semi-finals for 25 years.

Pubs and clubs which screened football were this afternoon tuning into the tennis.

Penny Perry, daughter of tennis legend Fred Perry, was watching the match at home in Saltdean.

Fred, who lived in Rottingdean until his death three years ago, won Wimbledon three times. No British man has lifted the trophy since.

Penny said: "A British semi-finalist has been a long time coming and Tim has done well.

"It is great for British tennis and great for the tournament and it gets the kids out there hitting tennis balls again.

"Everyone loves to see a British player doing well on their home patch."

The Stanmer Park pub in Ditchling Road, Brighton, which put out England flags for the World Cup, was also backing Henman. Customers were watching the match on a 10ft screen.

Landlord Tony Heath said: "We are flying the flag for Tim now. We will all be rooting for him."

Horatio's bar on the Palace Pier, Beiderbecks in Meeting House Lane, Brighton, and the Hove Park Tavern in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, were among dozens of venues across the county showing what promised to be a nail-biting match.

The David Lloyd Club in Eastbourne, where Tim won a tournament back in 1993, was confident he will go all the way to Sunday's final and was offering free tennis coaching to celebrate his success.

Tennis manager Howard Kaye said: "Tim has been brilliant, he's a true Brit. "People aren't use to having somebody to support at this stage of Wimbledon and there is a real buzz of anticipation. It is just what everyone needs after going out of the World Cup." The club is offering free coaching on Sunday to the first 100 people who ring on 0990 616263.

Other Sussex tennis clubs say Tim's Wimbledon run has sparked a surge of interest in the game, particularly among youngsters.

Tennis enthusiasts at Withdean Sports Complex in Brighton, West Worthing Club and Weald Lawn Tennis Club in Hassocks were among those cheering him on. Many sports centres were also showing the match.

Sara Cleary, sales manager at Windmill Hill Tennis and Golf Academy said: "I don't expect any tennis will be played here while the semi-final is on."

Fan club organiser Jean Tyson summed up the appeal of the man who has lifted the nation's spirits: "He has got such grace and style, he is so typically British and so down to earth - and he's not bad looking!"

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