TMS - FORO ITALICO

May 8, 2000

Tim Henman

TIM HENMAN: I'm playing again on Wednesday, that's the most important thing. I've given myself another chance to improve because I thought it was a bit of a struggle today. I don't think it helped, but we practiced together Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in London before we came up here. We practiced together. I practiced with Byron on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before we came out here.

TIM HENMAN: No, I think I disagree. It was very, very close, but the one at 5-2? Yeah, no, I think it definitely was on the edge of the line. But more so that I heard it hit the line.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. I felt like, yeah, it definitely was really, really close. But, no, it's 6-2 down, I think pretty much finished the set. But 5-3, a good serve, and there was the angle that I was at was perhaps a fraction easier. There was a fraction of a breeze. I hit some good forehands at that stage. But no, it was difficult. I've been practicing really, really well. Then I came out, couldn't stand up for the first, you know, for the first games, found it pretty slippery. And it wasn't -- yeah, it wasn't my best tennis. But as I said, I'm giving myself another chance to improve on Wednesday. And, you know, if I'm being a little bit critical of my wins on clay, I think that can only be a good sign.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think when it was -- I started off the match well, and then struggled a bit after that. But as you say, winning in some important stages, I did, I played some good tennis. And through all the adversities that I had, I seemed to respond well from those. The game that I lost at 4-3, served some break points, and with some big serves. And, you know, missed -- I gave him a second chance on a backhand volley where I had the open court. Missed a lob by half an inch to win the game, and even when I lost that game, the next game was a very good comeback for me.

TIM HENMAN: We had dinner together as well. It is a pretty -- I think it's a pretty volatile situation for him. You know, he says where his family lives is closer to the city, and so I don't think he feels quite as affected as other people that live further away. But, you know, I think it's pretty unsettling for everybody over there.

TIM HENMAN: Really?

TIM HENMAN: I didn't know that. Yeah, you can't really comprehend something like that. You can only comprehend it -- you can only understand it if it's happening to you. So I just think he'll feel a lot more comfortable when his wife's in London. I know that she's on her way over fairly shortly.