WIMBLEDON

July 1, 2000

Tim Henman

MODERATOR: Questions for Tim.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, very pleased. I felt like I had a good, clear game plan in my mind, and I definitely went out there and executed it. I don't think I can fault too many areas of my game today.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, that's right. I think, to tell you the truth, early on I found it a little bit difficult with his second serve because it was coming into my body. It took me a while to adjust when I was trying to chip-and-charge. I felt like I was putting pressure on him. Once I got the break in the first set, I felt like it was a good basis to work from. As you say, he's the type of guy you want to keep on the back foot. You want to make sure that he doesn't get too involved in the match. I think I was able to do that today.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, that's right. I think it can happen like that. That was what I wanted to try and avoid, to let him get into the match. It was important for me to hold on to that seventh game. I think I won the last ten points of the first set. That definitely sort of stamped my authority on the match. I got an early break in the second set, just tried not to let up in any way with my game plan, with my intensity, with my serving. I don't think I did.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. It's great. I love every minute of it. They do, they help. I think it makes me a little bit more focused, I think. I seemed to concentrate for long periods out there. Definitely no hiccups today.

TIM HENMAN: It's tough to be aware of that. You've seen it on occasions. It's great that there's so much interest. You know, that relates to so much support for me. Just when I walk on the court and put my bags down, they start sort of chanting my name. It gives you a big lift. That's before the match has even started.

TIM HENMAN: I walked on the Court 1-love in the fifth to Schalken. I came off at 6-All. I just said to Philippoussis, "What took you so long? I played my match in one set of yours."

TIM HENMAN: I think it was a pretty special day for I'm sure all those people involved, but I think just all the spectators, and I think the players today. My practise wasn't going to start out until Mr. Borg had walked on the court. I think it was a pretty special day.

TIM HENMAN: He was just happy to get through it, and quite rightly so. It's a great effort from both of them. From what I hear, you know, the quality of the tennis was extremely high. It's a great effort from him. I think he was always behind in the fifth. To keep serving to stay in the match, eventually come through it - I'm sure it's a big confidence booster for him.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, hope he's a bit tired (smiling). He's a strong guy. He's serving well. I dread to think how many aces he served.

TIM HENMAN: Good effort.

TIM HENMAN: Don't get me wrong, I was really, really pleased with the way I played today. I think it was a very, very good performance. But I still feel like I'm, you know, working my way into the tournament, and my game has definitely got better as each match has gone on. But I'm not suddenly going to start taking things for granted because I've definitely had to improve my game. I was not the most confident person in the draw in the first round, but that's definitely increasing all the time.

TIM HENMAN: It's definitely going to be a question of trying to make him play as much as possible. It's going to be a different type of match. He's someone that's going to be serving and volleying on both balls. If anything, I sometimes prefer a target. I haven't had too many targets to aim at in the tournament so far. I look forward to it, but I'm under no illusions. It's going to be a very, very tough match. Ball down to who plays best on the day.

TIM HENMAN: Well, I got three pretty good wins under my belt. I had two pretty good losses coming in on Monday. Yeah, it's changed -- it's definitely changed my feelings to my game. Having said that, I think I made it pretty clear that I wasn't going to judge myself too much on those two previous performances. But I'm very pleased with the way I've been playing. As we've seen so many upsets, just glad to be still alive heading into the second week.

TIM HENMAN: I mean, probably if someone stood on my side of the court and just started drilling balls at me, that would be about the equivalent. But, no, I've played him a few times before. You know, I mean, he serves big. Don't get me wrong. But my first-round opponent, I still haven't tried to pronounce his name, but he serves 130 and above. It's not the first time that I've played against big servers. I'm going to have to be, you know, sharp out there.

TIM HENMAN: To a certain extent it's a little bit like that. You got through the first week, then you do have that sense of sort of regrouping and starting again. That's definitely what I'll be doing. I'll take a lot out of the way I've played in the first three matches, and then start again come Monday. I'm looking forward to it, no question.

TIM HENMAN: Yes.

TIM HENMAN: There are so many different ways to look at it, I think. I think from my point of view, I've said all along that when there have been so many upsets, you really have just got to take nothing for granted. I think that's been the best approach for me because I've been just very focused on concentrating on what I'm trying to do. Each match, I've just started again, I've worked my way into the way I've returned, the way I've served. I've built it up in each match. It's worked well so far. I think I'm just going to continue with that.

TIM HENMAN: No, I still think my level of enjoyment is pretty much as high as it gets. I realise that in my first-round match there was probably a little extra pressure on me. But when I go out on the court, you know, that is not -- certainly not what I'm thinking about. First and foremost, if I go out and enjoy myself, I'm probably halfway to playing some good tennis. You know, that's important, I think. We're very lucky that this is my occupation, but it's also my hobby, if you like. You shouldn't forget that, I don't think.

TIM HENMAN: Yes.

TIM HENMAN: It has.

TIM HENMAN: It's a great effort. It was a pretty amazing day yesterday. I think they said it was the first time that all four innings had taken place in one day, which is pretty amazing.

TIM HENMAN: Hasn't been happening a great deal in British sport.

TIM HENMAN: No. There were like 140 for 4, then up 145 for 6.

TIM HENMAN: No. I kind of wondered. They do tend to put up some of the scores from outside courts. I noticed Philippoussis when it was about 8-All. Then I made a conscious effort not to worry about that. That's the last thing I wanted to start thinking about - there is my next opponent - when I'm still in the first set. I made a conscious effort not to look at the score boards. There was obviously a lot of interest from the crowds looking at those. You know, it was important for me to concentrate on my job.

TIM HENMAN: No. Maybe Sjeng is looking for a cut of my prize money (laughter). I think he lost 13-11 in the fifth to Courier. Courier's fitness has never been a problem. He came straight back to play a really tough match against me. I expect no different from Philippoussis.

TIM HENMAN: Actually, I think it did. When they were talking about the parade, obviously everyone was aware of it, you know, it's a great idea. Let's face it, they're legends of the game. It was great. I think you probably haven't spoken to any of them, but I'm sure they enjoyed it. I certainly enjoyed watching it. Borg was a big hero of mine. For the first time for him to come back in 19 years or something, I think it was pretty special.

TIM HENMAN: I want to be in it. I want to be part of it. That's an added incentive for me.

TIM HENMAN: You're aware of it. You're aware of it. But, again, it's sort of more you guys pay more attention to it than someone like I would. You know you can't look that far in front in advance. You really have to just concentrate on each match at a time. It's a pretty boring cliche, one match at a time, but it's very true.

TIM HENMAN: The bottom is pretty lopsided. The bottom half seems to have more seeds remaining. Again, you just have to worry about your next opponent. That's all you can do.

TIM HENMAN: Just, I'm going to do my very best to keep going with my own performance. I just hope they can keep supporting me as they have done. As ever, they've been amazing.