US OPEN

August 28, 2000

Tim Henman

MODERATOR: Questions for Tim.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. I can't have too many complaints. It's obviously with the circumstances in the last match, you know, I employed similar tactics, but just from a movement point of view and speed of the court, obviously favors me and suits me better. You know, I played a really solid match. Good one to get out of the way.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I volleyed really well. That's exactly it. On clay you're slipping and sliding all over the place. Here you have firm footing underneath. I think, as in the last few weeks, I've been pretty tough to pass. I keep that intensity and keep that pressure on all the time. I think it's made life difficult for him. It's a tactic I've got to continue with.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think with my game plan, that was evident. I've seen him play a little bit this summer when people have given him time. That's when he's at his most dangerous. I think he served for the match against Kafelnikov in Toronto, had some good wins in Cincinnati. In those matches where he's won, or come close to winning, he hasn't been rushed at all. Didn't want to get into too many long rallies. Having said that, I think I am comfortable in all aspects.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. I didn't play perhaps the best of games to lose my serve in the first set, but he hit a couple of good passing shots. I felt like my game was definitely where I wanted it to be, so there wasn't any sense of panic. As you say, first two sets I got on top early and, you know, never let up after that slight setback. In the third, serving first is a nice situation to be in. Played a really good game to finish it off.

TIM HENMAN: I sort of had a brief thought as I walked on today. I viewed it as a good opportunity to sort of put that memory firmly behind me because it was probably one of my least impressive performances 12 months ago.

TIM HENMAN: Had some tough matches on that one (laughter). I suppose I didn't think that deeply about it. That's fairly fortunate. I've had some better matches on there. Funny enough, it's the only court I practiced on this week - before the tournament, rather. We were on there for two or three days. Were meant to be on another court; changed; were on that. Preparation couldn't have been any better.

TIM HENMAN: Probably I felt pretty good about my game last year at Wimbledon. I played well at Queen's, and definitely had a lot of confidence. But I think my game is at a different level now. I feel there's more consistency with my serving, you know, a little bit better understanding of the way I can maintain the levels at a high standard. I think that's been evident in the last few weeks and pretty evident today.

TIM HENMAN: I think perhaps, in this instance, it might be a little bit technical because with the changes I made, specifically on my serve, I feel like I'm able just to sort of keep serving continuously; whereas, before, there was always an element of doubt that I start missing; my percentages drop. I feel like I've got a better understanding of how to keep that level high. That's good.

TIM HENMAN: I think sometimes when -- sort of the contact point, when I actually make contact with the ball, it all happens a bit too quickly. When it gets hot, the balls get lively, I think it gets difficult. Everybody finds it difficult. I find that I make sure I don't rush the actual hit on it, and make sure I take my time, when I get a bit quick on it, try to get to the net before I hit the serve, that's when I can have a few problems. Today it was a little bit easier with is being humid, not so hot, the balls weren't flying quite as much. All aspects of my serve were very good.

TIM HENMAN: No, I probably haven't. None that springs to mind. I had a chat to Tom Gullikson, and he had watched Gonzales play in two of his matches. I've never really seen him play a great deal, but he's obviously pretty useful. He's won a tournament this year, won four matches this week. He's not somebody to take lightly. I think he has a similar style of game, big forehand, likes to have a lot of time. Have to employ similar tactics.

TIM HENMAN: I think hopefully if I get into a similar situation, in a big match situation against him, it's definitely going to give me a lot of confidence.

TIM HENMAN: I think when I look at the rest of the field, he was the only person I'd never beaten. You know, I'd beaten Kuerten, Agassi, Rios when he was at the top of his game, beaten Moya, beaten Corretja. Sampras was the only person I hadn't beaten. Definitely to have beaten him just emphasizes the fact that on my day, I can beat anyone. But, you know, again, you look at the other side of the coin. There are so many good players. Every day is a new day. You can't take it for granted.

TIM HENMAN: I feel like the problems I've had in the past is where my levels have fluctuated too much. You know, you can't always have things as smoothly as I did today. When things aren't going perhaps as well as you would like them, that's when you have to keep a consistent level, you know, get through those difficult matches. I think I'm learning how to do that.

TIM HENMAN: I wouldn't say that I know a great deal about him, but he's obviously had some good wins. He looked like he beat Mamitt today pretty easily. He won a tournament. Second round of a Grand Slam, it's never going to be an easy match. I feel happy with my game and I look forward to that match.

TIM HENMAN: Smell (smiling).

TIM HENMAN: They're all very different. Perhaps this is the most different. Coming after Wimbledon, you've got to expect disturbances, you've got to expect interruptions, you've got to expect noise. If you come into the tournament not expecting that then I think you're being pretty naive. You have to make sure that you concentrate on what you're doing and not let those things distract you.

TIM HENMAN: I really enjoyed it. I feel like right now, you know, my best performance is the fourth round. I want to improve on that.

TIM HENMAN: I've got to win six matches. I've won five before on a couple of occasions. Yeah, that's what you've got to do at the highest level, you've got to string those victories back-to-back.

TIM HENMAN: It's a case of everything. It's a case of technically playing well, physically being in good shape, and mentally being able to concentrate over a two-week period. That's what I'm trying to do.