AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 17, 2006

Nathan Healey

THE MODERATOR: First question, please.

NATHAN HEALEY: As soon as he shook hands. I had no idea up until then. I don't know. I felt like I was well on top of him. I think a heart muscle was pulled (laughter).

NATHAN HEALEY: No, not at all, nothing. Actually, he didn't even shake my hand (laughter). Yeah, there you go.

NATHAN HEALEY: No, I'm not sure. He had ice like, I don't know, kind of on his arm here. I don't know. I'll take a win, though.

NATHAN HEALEY: I was loving it. It's always a great time of year to play, you know, tennis. With all the Aussie support, yeah, it's a good feeling.

NATHAN HEALEY: Yeah, no, I mean, I learned a lot from last year's match. I was out there on one of the show courts. I felt a little overawed by that situation because I hadn't really played singles on such a big stadium. Yeah, I learned a lot from that. Also last week in Sydney when I played Clement. I took that experience, you know, put it into practice out there, played well.

NATHAN HEALEY: I mean, I had a game plan to basically use my legs early in the match, just make a lot of balls. Before that, in previous matches, I'd been going for way too much, too early, putting myself in a confusing situation. Today I was just playing, you know, hitting that yellow ball inside the lines and, yeah, using my tank, working hard. Once I get a sweat up, I feel like I can get my teeth into the match.

NATHAN HEALEY: Yeah, I mean, a win at the Australian Open's always a big thing. You know, I'm still working my way up. It's really only been two years that I've given singles a good go. It was always going to take a little bit of time. I've ridden a few ups and downs. It's certainly an up at the moment. I plan to roll with it.

NATHAN HEALEY: Last year also. But other than that, yeah, I haven't played qualifying in any of the other events yet. Yeah, I haven't. The Australian Open's the only Grand Slam that I've played. But it was all doubles before that.

NATHAN HEALEY: No, yeah, I've got plenty of drive. I know I have the ability. I have the shots, for sure. It's just working out a few things with the mind. I'm learning, you know, with every match. I've played a few top guys this year. It's certainly helping. I'm really seeing what I have to do. You know, I can see that I can definitely make it inside that top hundred, top 50.

NATHAN HEALEY: Exactly, exactly. I've just been on the challenger circuit. I've been working my way up. My ranking has gone from 350 to 240 within the year. Like this year, I should be definitely inside those qualifying events. Hopefully I can keep rolling and then, you know, get inside that main draw as quickly as possible.

NATHAN HEALEY: Yeah, I feel like when I'm playing a lot more matches, I tend to do better. So, yeah, I like to play a lot of tennis. Yeah, the more I play, the more beneficial it is.

NATHAN HEALEY: Sure. Yeah, I mean, there's been a lot of work put in over December. Myself personally, like when I -- it's almost like I get lazy out there sometimes. Once I get the body flowing, the blood pumping, I tend to do better. Yeah, I just -- I see the game much more clearly when my legs are moving. Yeah, it's definitely been beneficial working hard in December.

NATHAN HEALEY: Yeah. I just had a look now. I play the winner of Starace and Delic, the American wildcard. I actually had a battle with Delic last year in about February/March. I lost a 14-12 in the third-set tiebreaker in a challenger in Dallas. I know how he plays. I haven't seen much of Potito Starace. Yeah, I mean, if I just continue playing like I am, I think I definitely have a chance to win that match.

NATHAN HEALEY: I might not hang around for too long. I might send someone else out to have a look at it. But, yeah, someone will be out there keeping an eye, giving me a game plan.

NATHAN HEALEY: Well, Tennis Australia set up a coach in Bernie Gerlitz (phonetic). Also my father is here, who has coached me since I was nine years old. He knows my game inside-out, back-to-front. It's good having him here. Yeah, I've got a few other voices. Yeah, had a lot of help coming in.

NATHAN HEALEY: No, yeah, that was a friend from school actually. Just a bit of fun.