TMS - ROME

May 8, 2001

Tim Henman

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

TIM HENMAN: Oh, yeah. I suppose. I hadn't actually thought of it that way. I suppose it is a little bit ironic. But I was just saying unofficially, I'll say it officially now, the first set is, you know, that's what my game's all about. I don't think I could -- I couldn't have executed that any better. But as soon as I get away from the game plan of structuring each point and playing each shot on its merit and trying to win rallies instead of being patient, that's when I'm vulnerable. And that's when unforced errors came, and that's what you can't afford to do. And I needed to reestablish my game plan, my mental sort of attitude, and I did that really, really well at the beginning of the third set. And that's what the telling factor was, I think.

TIM HENMAN: Underdog.

TIM HENMAN: I'm the underdog, I certainly felt that. But, again, that's the -- going back to the level of expectation that I've, you know, I've been talking about, I'm not expecting so much on the clay, but that's -- that is something, that, again, went well for me. I think from hearing what other people said, he certainly wasn't -- he certainly wasn't looking forward to the match, because it's -- I don't give these guys rhythm, and I play a different style of play and different style of game. I'm serving and volleying, and I don't think it's so enjoyable for them.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I mean, it's still pretty heavy as well. I think that was, in hindsight, that was better for me today to be a bit warmer. Still, the court is pretty saturated. It took a lot of rain yesterday. I don't know why they didn't use the covers.

TIM HENMAN: Oh, is it?

TIM HENMAN: In a way. In a way, it was sort of more -- sort of more satisfying to come back after being sort of dominated early on, then turn things around. You know, the two sets that I won, I couldn't be, you know, I couldn't be happier with. But it's still, this is where I'm striving to get better. I can't afford to play those sloppy games early on in the second set. Because against a guy who is playing at the next level up, I won't be able to -- I won't be able to get back into it. And, you know, he's not playing his best at the moment. He's got other things probably on his mind. But, still, there's no remarks column, is there? It's a good win for me.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I mean, I think in all honesty, I always said that -- I always said that getting married wasn't a distraction. I didn't think it was. But perhaps looking back on it, subconsciously, you know, he's got twins at home. I suppose that's --.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, it is, it's -- I think it's a good distraction to have. But, you know, he's too good not to play well in the future on clay, that's for sure.

TIM HENMAN: Well, there wasn't a query in the end, but there was. Yeah, I was sort of -- I knew that that shot was very close, and I was kind of -- I was waiting for someone to do something about it because I thought it was going to be checked. So I wasn't really walking towards the net. I sort of then turned around to have a look, see what he was up to, he asked me how it was. I said, "I don't know, do you want it checked?" But he also stuck out his hand, so I grabbed it pretty quickly. (Laughter.)

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think it's great.

TIM HENMAN: No, he's certainly a, you know, a great supporter and he's -- he's certainly not coaching me. But he's definitely there to, you know, to help if I need it, and I really appreciate that. I think also at this time of year he's working very hard for what he's trying to achieve, and that is September on clay in Ecuador. And I think he's -- he wants to see how Greg and I are, you know, what makes us work, what makes us play well on clay. And I think also he's, you know, he's a real genuine lover of the game and enjoys being here, enjoys watching. Watching, watching obviously all my matches, but I think if you follow him for 24 hours, he'll be at all sorts of matches watching people. And, no, on the --.

TIM HENMAN: Well, you said it, not me.

TIM HENMAN: Sure.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, sure. No, he's definitely --.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think he's been -- he's been really good on Davis Cup. That's when I've gotten to know him. But now he's being -- coming to these tournaments and, you know, he's great to have around.

TIM HENMAN: If I need it, most definitely. Well, I'd like to think so. And, no, Roger's been great. And, you know, he's -- he's not suddenly going to try and -- he's not going to suddenly try and - what's the word - impose, you know, his knowledge on my game. But he's certainly there to help wherever possible, and, you know, I appreciate that.

TIM HENMAN: Not really, no. But that's where, I think -- I'm a believer in less is more. But certainly if he's getting to know my game, I think he's getting to know Greg's game well also. I think Roger talks quite a lot to Brad and, you know, it's only -- could be only a couple of words here or there in a match and a shoulder turn here or, you know, ball toss position there, and it makes a big difference.

TIM HENMAN: Exactly, yeah.

TIM HENMAN: There's always going to be an element of surprise, isn't there, because they're the favorites whenever they step on the court, aren't they? But it just goes to show how difficult this surface is and, again, you know, the men's game, it talks volumes about the levels and the standards. You just can't take anything for granted, and that's exactly the case, isn't it?

TIM HENMAN: No, no, certainly not. He knows what he needs to do. But I think Tim Phillips has obviously been here, and I think it's great that he's been talking to all sorts of people, all sorts of players, you know, listening to opinions. It's a good example that, you know, you talk about the seeding issue, and I think they've been worried in the past about how sections of the draw can be so open if one of the seeds lose. It's a classic example, isn't it? It happens; it happens every week, because the seeding doesn't...

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, he's --.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I've practiced on the same court with him the last couple of days, and he hits the ball really hard. He's got a very good serve. So, again, yeah, it's not going to be -- certainly not going to be easy. I think there's plenty more running to be done. But, you know, I just have to worry about my own game, if I serve well.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I'll find out from Todd Martin and Dean, you know, what the story was there. Again, you know, it goes back to my -- it goes back to where I'm at in my own game.