When the time comes to list the most popular and talented tennis players never to have won a Grand Slam tournament, it is hard to name anyone more charismatic than Henri Leconte. With his gallic charm, sense of fun and stunning shot-making ability, he has always possessed the ability to send his supporters home happy. And with some notable exceptions, the French Open final of 1988 against Mats Wilander springing most readily to mind, whether he won or lost soon become irrelevant.

Born in Lillers, France, Leconte’s talent was nurtured by the worldly Romanian Ion Tiriac who was also mentor to Guillermo Vilas and later Boris Becker. Inevitably such a gifted and extrovert performer followed in the crowd-pleasing footsteps of countryman Yannick Noah.

Perhaps Leconte’s proudest moment came while playing for the French Davis Cup team which Noah captained in 1991. Despite undergoing career-threatening back surgery earlier that year, Leconte was summoned from his sick bed but in tandem with Guy Forget, he propelled the French to the final against Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and the rest of the United States team.

“Three months before the final, Henri was considering retirement,” remembered Noah. “But in my heart I knew that he was the only one other than Guy Forget who could actually beat one of their players.”

So, Noah went to see Leconte, and gave him the pep-talk of his life. He continued: “Henri was 10 or 12 kilos overweight and totally depressed. I told him: “You know what? You are the only one that can win this match for us, so I’m really counting on you”.

“He was at a stage of his life and career where everybody was turning their back on him. The next day he started rehabilitation, and he worked harder than he had ever worked, it took him three full months of rehabilitation to be ready, and nothing could stop him. By the time he was ready to play the final he was so fired up that I think he could have run through walls.”

Sure enough, he defeated seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in straight sets and France won the Davis Cup.

Three times a Wimbledon semi - finalist and twice a finalist here at the Royal Albert Hall, Leconte enjoys motor-racing, champagne and he is a father of two. “I’m just happy to be here with a chance to beat the top guys,” he maintained. “I beat John McEnroe here before, and it’s always nice to play well. This is the best tournament on the Champions Tour and we are happy to be here. I still hope to win it one day.”

My Favourite....

Film: Born on the 4th July

Book: The Name of the Roses

Song: Beautiful Day - U2

Meal: Fish

Luxury Item: Champagne and Cigars

My Ideal Dinner Guests

Nelson Mandela

Mohammed Ali

God

Bill Clinton

Princess Diana

The Beatles