TMS MONTE CARLO

April 18, 2001

Tim Henman

THE MODERATOR: First question for Tim, please.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I certainly did. You know, I think I had the right approach. And as I said before, my expectations are less. And I think that's something I've got to learn from, because I know what I'm trying to do, go out there and give it my best shot, and I'm not dwelling on the consequences. And, you know, my game plan and my whole game worked as well as it can really.

TIM HENMAN: That's certainly the way I'm approaching it. But I think sometimes if you have that attitude, then your shot selection is poor, then you're just taking unnecessary risks. I know that I've got to take risks to succeed on this surface, because I'm not just going to out-rally these guys. But, you know, the choices I'm making are good choices. It's not the easiest surface to return on clay because your footing, you're sometimes not quite on balance. I don't think the guys like having someone serving and volleying if they're -- if someone's serving well, and that's certainly what I'm doing.

TIM HENMAN: That was key, I think.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think that's a big, big plus for me. And I think it probably -- it's probably not particularly enjoyable. That's not what they're expecting me to be, as patient as I am and as consistent as I am, I think that's the area of the game that they think they're going to dominate in and, you know, over a long period they probably will. But certainly when I was putting them under pressure, putting Gaudio under pressure and not making any unforced errors, it's difficult because I think I'm moving well.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, it's difficult. I, you know, I make hundreds of mistakes with my shots throughout the day, and, you know, Lars makes one mistake and I'm jumping down his throat. You know, I think in the situation, I was right, and Lars said so after the match. But it's just -- it's the way the discussion unfolded, and I'm not allowed to influence his decision. And I think my points, which were perfectly valid, I think he agreed with.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, and he showed me that. Then I told him that that mark could come from the deuce box, which you could quite clearly see because of the angle that the mark had made. Once I told him that, then he agrees with me, but I've influenced his decision. So, you know, he can't then change his decision. So it was, yeah, I was a little upset with it. I think it was clearly an ace. But I won that point, I still got to game point in the game, so I don't think it affected me overall. But I perhaps didn't play the best points from game point up. But I played a very good game to break serve again and keep when I was in front.

TIM HENMAN: Well, he immediately said, "Sorry I got it wrong." I said exactly that, I said, "It's difficult. I make hundreds of mistakes, you make one and I'm on your case about it." But that's the way it goes.

TIM HENMAN: Definitely. That was a huge momentum (indicating shift). I know that I know I've won the first set, I've got the opportunity to stamp my authority. But I think then he realizes that he holds serve and then he's going to throw everything at me, and he's certainly -- he's going to play that with a little bit more freedom. You could see the momentum suddenly was all in his favor those first couple of games, and I was really, you know, really pleased with the way I dug my heels in and, you know, I hit some good shots, hit some lucky shots on break point. But, you know, you take them. I got -- I suddenly got that game, then it's 1-all. Then you suddenly say the momentum was right with me because he was probably a little bit dispirited. I was then able to establish the break and hold on to it.

TIM HENMAN: No, I've certainly never won two matches in a row here, and, you know, I'm pleased with the way it is. I look forward to the challenge tomorrow. I think it's probably up another level, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to try and play even better. I think I've got to just continue playing the way I have been and we'll see how that matches up against Costa. If he can raise his level above that, then, you know, too good.

TIM HENMAN: I don't think, in all honesty -- I'm, you know, I'm pleased with the way I've been working, and I feel it has given me an opportunity just to work a few things out for myself. But, you know, it is two wins. I'm delighted with them. And I think I've beaten two very good clay court players. But that's not to suddenly say I'm coming to the conclusion I don't need a coach.

TIM HENMAN: Perhaps. Perhaps.

TIM HENMAN: That's up to their perception. I certainly know the way I've approached the clay court season. And given the scenarios that unfolded in the last couple of weeks, I'm just going out there to work hard, play hard and see what happens.

TIM HENMAN: Very slow surface in Paris.

TIM HENMAN: No. It certainly plays into his hands, doesn't it? I think it's fair to say that he's the favorite. But, you know, he's going to play a similar type of game to Gaudio, and it's one that I dealt with today. And, again, that's why I'm not going to do anything different. I'll try and play exactly the way I did today. And if I play at that level, as I said, and he can come up with, you know, better shots and is too good for me, then so be it. There's nothing I can do about that, I don't think. I'm not going to try any harder. I'm not suddenly going to think, "God, what an opportunity this is." It's the right way to approach it.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, if Alix is only criticizing my appearance and not my performance, I think that's a really good sign for me.

TIM HENMAN: I'd say that is a big compliment.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, no. It's another one that -- I think Magnus lost, didn't he?

TIM HENMAN: I think we'll have to try and give him something to enjoy today.

TIM HENMAN: Again, you know, I really don't know. I certainly know that I'm not thinking about it right now. I've got two weeks. I'm not playing for two weeks after this. That will certainly be a time when I'll consider all options. Again, you know, who knows? Who knows who's available, who knows who I want to work with. You know, I can't predict what will happen, but I certainly know that I need a coach. I don't think there's any perception from my point of view that I could just do this on my own.

TIM HENMAN: Buster Mottram was heard out there by one of the experts. (Laughter.)

TIM HENMAN: Huh?

TIM HENMAN: That's someone's opinion.

TIM HENMAN: John sent it in himself, did he?

TIM HENMAN: No, I don't know. Who knows?

TIM HENMAN: Again, I think they're all important, aren't they? But it's not something that, you know, I've given a great deal of thought to. Again, the reason for my decision and our decision to, you know, have a break was so that it was time for a change. And so we'll have to wait and see from my point of view what I'm actually looking for. I don't, I think in all honesty, I don't know.

TIM HENMAN: It is. It's certainly a, you know, pretty special location to play in, and I don't think you get, on days like this, I don't think you get many better venues. You know, I think to be -- to look at it on the critical side of things, it's perhaps not big enough, and I think, you know, the level of tournaments and this type of tournament with the number of players, and I think in an ideal scenario you would like more space. But I don't think that's really -- I don't think that's really possible.

TIM HENMAN: I've been there, yeah. I've been there before. I think they had a players' evening last night, but I didn't participate.

TIM HENMAN: Oh, you mean, our players' evening or the gala evening? I think there's two. Yeah, I've been to that.

TIM HENMAN: Maybe. It depends, you know. I'll see how I get on, see what my schedule is.

TIM HENMAN: No, no, no. I'm quite happy to watch, but ...

TIM HENMAN: I'm not really an actor.