WIMBLEDON

July 5, 2002

Tim Henman

MODERATOR: Questions for Tim.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think that's stating the obvious in a situation like this. I think probably adding to the fact the other semifinal makes it a little bit more difficult.

TIM HENMAN: No, I think because of that reason, I think more so. It was obviously a semifinal, but I think, you know, the person that came through the top half is definitely going to be the favorite for the final. You know, I felt like it was going to be -- you know, it was going to be a difficult match, but one I felt if I could get through, then perhaps I'd have a good chance in the final.

TIM HENMAN: I think I'll give him all the credit he deserves. Certainly the way that he plays and the way that he adapts his game to any surface, he is the best in the world. And, again, today he proved that.

TIM HENMAN: Of course he can be beaten. You know, if sport were -- if sport was a guaranteed thing then, you know, it wouldn't be as popular as it is. He'll have to come out and prove it again. Whoever he plays in the final obviously will be very, very motivated. But I'm sure the odds are massively in his favor.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah.

TIM HENMAN: I've got to improve. It's as simple as that. The better player won today, no question. And it's not through lack of effort, but, you know, my game wasn't good enough today.

TIM HENMAN: Well, as the score line suggests, not a lot did work, did it? I certainly tried different tactics, different variations. As I said, the bottom line is he's the better player. And it's my job to go away and keep improving my game.

TIM HENMAN: I think if you serve and volley against Hewitt in these type of conditions, unless you ace him, it's probably a negative because you're playing into his biggest strength: his return of serve, and after return of serve his passing shots. In a funny sort of thing, I think that the best way to beat him, when you look at the players he's lost to, it's almost like you want to -- you almost want to border on being a little negative in the rallies, you keep the ball in play, because he doesn't -- he's not the most aggressive or the hardest hitter from the baseline. And when you get an opportunity, I think you try and end the point. You obviously try and hit a winner, but you're going to make mistakes. But I think that's probably the best way. You wait for a short one and then you don't really want to hit an approach shot, because if you give him a chance to hit a passing shot, he'll hit it. I think you have to just try and hit winners.

TIM HENMAN: That's what I'm trying to say. I think in a funny sort of way, the tactic that is most effective against him, you know, even on grass, even in the conditions that we're playing in today, it's almost like you've just got to stay at the baseline and give him no pace to work with. When you get half an opportunity, you go for it. You either make a mistake or you hit a winner. If you try and play approach shots and then come in, win the point from the net, that doesn't work against him.

TIM HENMAN: Am I afraid of that?

TIM HENMAN: No.

TIM HENMAN: Well, he was No. 1 last year. But I certainly don't think it's getting into a situation where he's going to dominate it, because there are too many good players out there. As I said, he's setting the benchmark; he's best in the world. That's the standard that others have to achieve.

TIM HENMAN: You know, use that as an example. I'm always going to give it my best shot. As soon as I don't enter the tournament, then you'll know that I don't believe I can win anymore.

TIM HENMAN: He played great. All credit to him. You know, he played phenomenally well, and he was too good for me. It's as simple as that.

TIM HENMAN: No.

TIM HENMAN: No, lots of good ones.

TIM HENMAN: No. You've got to keep fighting. You've got to keep fighting to the last point. As I said, you know, he was too good today. He played some really good tennis. You know, I tried different tactics. I, you know, tried to work out different ways to adjust my game and adapt my game, and it wasn't good enough. You know, that is the fundamentals of the sport. You know, it doesn't hide from my disappointment about the outcome of the result. But I gave it my best shot, and that's all you can ask for.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, they're a massive asset for him, because he's so quick. Once he gets to the ball, he's obviously so effective with his shots. I think that probably puts, you know, a little extra pressure on his opponents.

TIM HENMAN: Yes.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think so, just because of the nature of this tournament and how much it does mean to me.

TIM HENMAN: Again, you know, what can I do about that? You know, what can -- you know, perhaps if I could control something like that, then I would worry about it. Because it's out of my control...

TIM HENMAN: It's there. I tend not to worry about it because there's nothing I can do about it. Like it or not, it's always going to be there. I just have to concentrate on the things that I can control.

TIM HENMAN: Well, I certainly, you know, can't say that it gets any easier. But having said that, I think there's a pretty simple way of looking at it. And certainly in the next few days when I reflect on the last fortnight, I certainly know that I've given it my best shot. I couldn't have tried any harder. And that's good enough with me. I'm sure to others that that won't be good enough. But, you know, having said that, that I don't think should detract from the way I feel about it.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. I think if I came off the court and said, "Oh, I didn't try today," that's when you would certainly, you know, have to have some question marks about yourself. But that's never been the case.

TIM HENMAN: Not exactly. I think it's a question that comes up a lot to do with this sport in this country, and fortunately it's not my job to try and put that right.

TIM HENMAN: Not really, no.

TIM HENMAN: No.

TIM HENMAN: I would agree with you. Looking at my game in the big picture, I've obviously got to get better at other tournaments because I think, you know, my performances are definitely getting better, and my results have stated. But if I've played as consistently week in, week out as I do year in, year out here, you know, then my ranking would go even higher.

TIM HENMAN: I think, you know, the contrast between playing on Court 1 and Centre Court is fairly minimal. I don't think it's going to be such a big shock. I'm sure he's played on a lot of big courts throughout the world. But having said that, I think you're right, it's going to be a little bit surprising if you get through to the final of a Slam and you've never been on the Centre Court.

TIM HENMAN: I hope so.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, they've been incredible. They are certainly part of the reason why I'll, you know, keep coming back for as long as I feel I can win, because the support here is incredible. It's second to none. You know, I'll probably never be able to thank them enough. But they are massively appreciated.