Oxfordshire Tim Henman is looking to regain his place among the world's elite after admitting he contemplated retirement during his recent struggle with injury.

The British No 3, who lives at Aston Tirrold, near Didcot, is now fit again after a frustrating year with back and shoulder injuries.

He has tumbled down the rankings as a result of his problems, and he revealed there were times when he considered his future.

Speaking ahead of the French Open, which starts on Sunday, Henman, a six-times Grand-Slam semi-finalist, said: "I've had these back problems for a little while and I had to take a look at the issues and find out what was causing the problems.

"I feel after lots of work I'm finally coming out the other end, my back's feeling really good.

"The knock-on effect is I'm enjoying what I'm doing, enjoying my training and the practising and results are starting to improve.

"I'm feeling so much better at my game and that's what I've got to build on. If I can stay healthy, there's no reason in my mind why I can't get back to where I once was.

"There were definitely times when my back was bad and I couldn't train, I couldn't practise, then for the first time in my professional life I wasn't enjoying what I was doing.

"I've always said this is my hobby, it's not a real job. It's just what I've always wanted to do.

"So when I wasn't enjoying it there were definitely question marks over whether this was what I wanted to keep doing, but that's certainly not the case now. How, if and when I retire I've no idea.

"You hear other people say you know when the time is right and I don't know when that is. Hopefully it's not for a good time yet."

Henman has not thought much about his plans for retirement, but would like to remain involved in the game in some capacity.

It has been suggested he could be taken on by the Lawn Tennis Association as part of their restructuring of the British game, and Henman would be keen on that idea.

He added: "It's probably not something I'll make a big deal of because I still want to play quality tennis for a couple of years yet, but definitely I'd like to be involved in the future because the game's given me so much and I'd like to put something back.

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I'd like to help in some way."

The LTA is undergoing changes with new chief executive Roger Draper having sacked performance director David Felgate last week.

Henman admits he was surprised by the decision to axe his former coach, but has backed Draper to get the game moving in the right direction.

But he added: "Roger has come into the position and been prepared to make some changes, that's his prerogative."