TMS - INDIAN WELLS

March 15, 2000

Tim Henman

MIKI SINGH: Questions for Tim.

TIM HENMAN: I'd liked to have hoped that I was going to get it. You're definitely not going to take anything for granted. It was a big struggle. You know, I was just trying -- I gave myself another chance getting back on level terms. You know, as you say, I just wanted desperately to get through that match so I could give myself another match tomorrow and hopefully improve on my game.

TIM HENMAN: I made a good start. I think I won the first point, good serve-and-volley point. Perhaps I rushed a little bit. As you say, I think it was more to do with a struggle with my game. I was competing as hard as I could, trying to give away as little as possible. But, no, it was frustrating to get back into the match at 5-All and have a little off momentum with me. He was obviously feeling the pressure of having to serve for the match. You know, I broke back. But, yeah, it "a struggle" is the best way to describe the whole match.

TIM HENMAN: You never know. I felt like coming into the match, I'd been hitting the ball well. Something that I was doing well in Scottsdale was stamping my authority on the match early. I was getting some opportunities and taking them. But as you say, if you can get one of those chances early on, it definitely gets the -- settles you down quickly, gets the momentum with you, puts him on the back foot. On one he hit a good first serve, on the other I tried to be aggressive on, missed the approach shot. You know, those are the ones you want to take. Once he's serving first, he's up a game, hits a couple of big forehands, all of a sudden he's serving for the set, puts me on the back foot.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I was down 2-Love. My attacking game, the chipping and charging, wasn't really working. I had to change something. I was much more patient from then on. I had to just cut out the unforced errors, and to a certain extent, try and beat him at his own game. Yeah, definitely was able to turn that around. I think in the third set he probably played more aggressively and took a few more risks.

TIM HENMAN: He's a great athlete. He's very quick around the court. I think in the other matches that we've played, I've probably been helped out, that it was probably a little bit quicker. As you say, yeah, he runs down a lot of balls, he's very dangerous when he's counterpunching. That is what he likes to do. I think at times he played with a little bit more margin for error, played a little bit more topspin, generally tried to keep me back as much as possible.

TIM HENMAN: No, I don't think so. Getting pretty hot out there.

TIM HENMAN: Hottest I've played here. It's a dry heat, so it's much more comfortable than if it's high humidity.

TIM HENMAN: Not really. I think if this was my third or fourth week in a row, then maybe. No, I think five matches last week, all pretty straightforward two-set matches. No, I felt very fresh out there.

TIM HENMAN: I'll stay here and practice. I wouldn't want to get to Miami sort of too early and then be practicing and practicing. I'll probably have a few days off and then start practicing, go to Miami early next week.

TIM HENMAN: I don't think so. I mean, the ball probably doesn't fly through the air quite as easily as it does here. But, again, it can be pretty hot there. I think, if anything, it's much more windy, much breezier there. That's something you've got to get used to.

TIM HENMAN: It can be very difficult.

TIM HENMAN: Not this year.

TIM HENMAN: I played it last year. It was a very good tournament, but for me personally I prefer to spend the week before a Grand Slam in that city practicing. I think it was definitely the right decision to try it last year, you know, see how I felt it was for me. My personal approach is to be in the city the week before. That's my reason for not playing.