TMS - STUTTGART

October 9, 2001

Tim Henman

MODERATOR: Questions for Tim.

TIM HENMAN: That's right. I can't have too many complaints. I think this is one occasion when you've got to say that he deserved it with the way he played in the second and third sets. I think, you know, it was pretty plain to see early on who was dictating play, and I couldn't have asked for more. Probably the match boils down to the last two games of the second set. I did well to get back from 15-40, have the game point, then had a tough backhand smash, which I missed, which was pretty much the only volley I missed all evening. He broke that game. I had Love-40 in the next game. He was able to finish that off. That's disappointing from my point of view, but I think that's good tennis from him.

TIM HENMAN: I don't think so. I've certainly enjoyed that type of support myself. Having said that, at that level, being a professional player, you don't really let that type of thing bother you.

TIM HENMAN: Disappointing anytime you lose. I say that every time you ask me how disappointed I am. Having said that, I know if I keep playing the way I have been, good things will happen. I have absolutely no doubt about that. I always felt that it was going to boil down to probably the last tournament in Paris, and I still feel the same way. It's going to be a close-run thing. I like the position I'm in.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, definitely. I didn't feel like the ball was quite coming through, whether I was moving up to it enough. I lost a bit of rhythm on my forehand, no doubt. On my serve, it was patchy compared to my match against Lapentti. If I'm going to have a bad day serving, and I'm serving at 59%, I think that's certainly the positive to take out of it. It's an area that has improved, and will continue to improve.

TIM HENMAN: Again, you have to take into consideration your opponent's game. But I think it's important that you worry about your own game. You know, there were times when I felt like I was the one who was dictating on my serve when I was picking the spots well. You know, in any match, you start missing your first serves, it gives your opponent a better look. The game he broke me in the third set, he tends to hit a lot of drop volleys on his volleys. I mean, that's known. But you execute them that well, there's not a lot you can do.