Tim Henman has vowed to start the 2006 season in style after claiming he lost to an inferior player in the Madrid Masters Series.
The 31-year-old was beaten in three sets by Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, ranked 14th in the world to Henman's current 26th position.
Henman's claim "I think I am a better player than he is" might not have concerned Stepanek, who won 6-4 1-6 6-3, but it reflected the British No 1's belief that this has been a season to forget.
Henman said: "It is a fair reflection because he has played a lot of games and got wins under his belt but I think I am a better player than he is: I don't want that to sound flippant, but in the context of where I am at, I played some good tennis but came second and I am not going to dwell on it." Henman has been troubled by a recurring back problem for much of the year. He admits there are still improvements to be made to certain aspects of his game, but one positive factor now stands out. "I am pain-free and able to play the way I want to," he explained.
"I think I need matches, it's not about technique on the backhand and I haven't played enough. I'd love to be winning more games but, in the context of the year, it doesn't make much difference because I am going to stop after Paris and concentrate on preparation.
"Just to be playing with the feelings that I have got is enjoyable, because it hasn't been like that for a long time.
"If I didn't think I could win games and tournaments, I would stop but I know I am going to hit the ground running in 2006 and I am excited and motivated by it."
Yesterday's defeat meant Henman has been ousted from a tournament by Stepanek in successive weeks, having also succumbed to the Czech in Vienna.
He has not reached a semifinal in 2005 and his results since Wimbledon have been dire, but next year should be different if plans for the coming months reap the desired rewards. He plays in Basle next week, before entering the Masters Series tournament in the French capital which he won two years ago - still the biggest tournament victory of his career. "I want to play well in the next couple of weeks," said Henman.
