Tim Henman has confirmed his retirement from tennis at a press conference in New York, news that was first revealed by The Times on Monday.

The former British No 1 said that on-going problems with his back had prompted his decision to make the Davis Cup tie against Croatia next month his final competitive appearance.

Currently preparing for his thirteenth US Open, which begins on Monday, Henman explained that the pain he suffered playing on Washington hard courts last month made up his mind.

"It's something I've been thinking about for some time," the 32-year-old said. "The problems I've been having with my back and the way that has affected my performance has made life harder and a little less enjoyable."

Henman admitted that he also wants to spend less time on the road, particularly now that his wife, Lucy, is expecting their third child. He was keen, however, not to be too downbeat, saying that he looks forward to starting a new career in tennis once he has taken a break from the game.

"It becomes harder and harder to be away from your family," said for the former world No 4, who faces Dmitry Tursunov in round one at Flushing Meadows. "It's not necessarily the end of things for me. It is a new beginning. I'd like to think there are going to be a lot new opportunities out there for me.

"I'm looking forward to spending time away from things and enjoying some time at home. But next year, or the year after that, I'd like to see what's out there. I don't envisage staying away from the game for good."

Earlier in the summer Henman said that he hoped to play in Wimbledon next year but he changed his mind after the Legg Mason Classic in Washington, where he was beaten in the first round by wildcard entrant John Isner. "I didn't want to keep plugging away with the limited rewards I was going to get," he explained.

Asked what achievements have made him most proud, Henman named his performances at Wimbledon - where he reached four semi-finals and four quarter-finals - and his overall consistency, citing eight years ranked in the top 20 and five in the top ten despite, perhaps unfairly, being often criticised in Britain for not winning enough critical matches.

The tie against Croatia takes place on No 1 Court at Wimbledon and should provide a fitting farewell for a player who first came to prominence when he was disqualified from Wimbledon in 1995, after he accidentally hit a ball girl with a ball, but went on to raise interest in tennis among the British public to unprecedented levels.

"In 1995," he said. "If I was told what would happen in the next decade. I would have been very surprised." Nobody should be surprised if he is given a stirring send off next month. He'll deserve it.