While it now seems the norm to denigrate our leading sportsmen after major sporting events, I was surprised by the intense level of nastiness emanating from Brian Ralfe (Letters, July 5).

Besides the tone, the observations made were extremely inaccurate.

While Mr Ralfe clearly has little knowledge of tennis, to describe Tim Henman (currently ranked world Number 5 player) and Greg Rusedski (who has a highest ranking of Number 4) as "Eddie the Eagles" is both laughable and contemptible.

With 25 major tour victories between them, Tim and Greg are far from the losers he describes and both are highly rated by their fellow professionals - including Roger Federer, whom Henman has defeated in six of their eight matches to date.

Furthermore, Henman's record at Wimbledon of four semi-finals and four other quarter-finals makes him easily the best British performer since the Thirties (when there were fewer players and the game was a much gentler affair).

Therefore, while neither Henman nor Rusedski have won Wimbledon (something they share with many excellent and some great players, for example Ivan Lendl and Ken Rosewall) let us be grateful that for the last decade we have had a strong British presence both at Wimbledon and throughout the tennis calendar.

One further point, Brian. You seem highly amused by Tim's name. Bearing in mind Monty Python, I am tempted to say "People in glass houses..."

David Carr

-Lavender Street, Brighton