25 questions with Tim Henman

When Tim Henman first picked up a tennis racket at three years old, few could have predicted the elegant serve-and-volley game that would one day carry him to six Grand Slam semi-finals and a career-defining win at the Paris Masters in 2003.

"I still remember that week in Paris," he says. "Everything just clicked. It was one of those moments when all the hard work, the travel, the sacrifice - it all felt worth it."

"My biggest career challenge were all the other great players in world tennis," he added. Among them, Roger Federer stands out as his toughest opponent: a rivalry marked by high-stake matches and a deep mutual respect.

Now retired from professional play, Henman admits he rarely picks up a racket, "maybe five times a year, mostly for charity. But I still love competition. These days it's more about getting the family around the table for a board game in a beautiful villa."

"The Hideaways Club came into my life at just the right moment," Tim says. "We were thinking about buying a holiday home, but we couldn't decide between a ski chalet or a beach villa. The Club offered both, and more."

The Hideaways Club, a private co-ownership club offering its members access to homes around the world, turned out to be the perfect fit. "It felt like the best of both worlds; multiple destinations, no maintenance, and everything taken care of. It really suited our lifestyle."

This effortless freedom is at the core of what The Hideaways Club offers its members - a fractional ownership model where you buy into a collection of private homes rather than just one. It's a lifestyle investment, not a financial one, though many members are pleasantly surprised by the value they get. Should circumstances change, there are multiple exit options, and you can even pass your membership down through the family.

Since joining, the Henman family has travelled widely through the Club's portfolio of homes, from Alpine retreats to Mediterranean escapes. A firm favourite? Chalet Lumière in Morzine. "We've returned many times," Tim admits. "Our three girls love skiing, and the chalet has so much space for friends and family."

This stage of life has offered Henman the luxury of time. "Tennis was intense. You're constantly on the road. Now we plan time together properly. Whether it's a long weekend in the Alps or a few days by the sea, I value being present more than anything."

Tim's next trip? "Villa Algarvia in Portugal," he says. "Sun, sea and no responsibilities!"

Would he recommend The Hideaways Club to others? "If you love travel and want the experience of owning multiple homes without the pressure, absolutely. It's not about profit, it's about lifestyle. That, to me, is the real win."