GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE ATP CHAMPIONSHIP

August 12, 1999

Tim Henman

ATP: Questions for Tim.

TIM HENMAN: Very satisfied with the way I played. There's a ranking -- sort of a difference in ranking, about 10 or 12 spots. I felt like perhaps he was a slight favorite coming into the match the way he's been playing recently; I haven't been playing so well. But after the way I played a couple of nights ago, my confidence is definitely returning. This can only continue that.

TIM HENMAN: No, it was awkward because I felt like I was in a good rhythm. Having said that, I came back and I had set point on his serve. I started off okay, but my rhythm on my serve wasn't quite as it was to begin with. Having said that, you know, I was really pleased with the way I kept the pressure at 4-5, played a couple of really good rallies, stayed in a couple of long points, got that set. Then I wanted to push my advantage. I watched his match with Goldstein last night. Goldstein was up a set. He had breakpoints early on and didn't convert. That was when Kiefer got back into the match. I was anxious to keep the pressure on.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, very much so. I think in the last couple of weeks, when you're not so confident, you're not so happy to stay in the long rallies. I felt like my movement is a lot better, I feel more confident with hitting the shots. Yeah, I'm happy to stay in the long rallies. I wind up getting an opportunity, I'm still going to come forward. There were times when I felt like I was playing (inaudible).

TIM HENMAN: I think so. In the past, I think the first year I ended up beating Siemerink, that was a great surprise. Then the following year, I was having a rough times a well, actually. I lost to Medvedev pretty easily. This year, yeah, I think I'm a much better player than previously years. I lost to Muster, which was a tough match. Now I feel like I'm much more complete. I feel like I have a much better understanding of what I'm trying to do on the court. It can't always work week-in and week-out. You're going to have your bad weeks. I had a couple of poor weeks earlier. That was extra incentive to put that right this week. So far so good.

TIM HENMAN: Not exactly. I think if anything I was a little bit rusty after Wimbledon. I said before that I wouldn't do it any differently because I did need a break after that. Two or three months on the clay, then the whole scenario around Wimbledon, it's pretty exhausting. Coming into LA, I think perhaps I hadn't hit enough balls. Then when I got to Montreal, I was still finding my feet. I wasn't playing particularly well. My confidence wasn't high. But I felt like I was just beginning to find my game. I've been here since Wednesday, so I got to put in a little bit of time on the practice court. Now it's beginning to pay off.

TIM HENMAN: I think I've been past that for quite some time. It's always a topic that's talked about because we've had such a poor run in the last thousand years (laughter). No, going back five years, then before that we hadn't had anyone at the top of the game for such a long time. When I was younger, I think I was perhaps a little intent to prove people wrong. But I think with the results I've had, I've done that.

TIM HENMAN: There's times when you have to be selective because Kiefer is dangerous wherever he is on the court. He does like a target. I feel I've got to play my strengths. Having said that, you know, you're right, when I was on the defensive, I stayed in there, I kept making him hit extra shots. That's the way I'm going to play. It's getting the right balance between offense and defense.

TIM HENMAN: In the short-term, yes, putting in a lot of practice. I wasn't hitting the ball very well sort of in Montreal. It doesn't mean suddenly you're a bad player overnight. I just spent a lot of time on the practice court. Serving has definitely helped. When you start serving well, I think that gives confidence to the rest of your game.

TIM HENMAN: I think I still can get better, but it's the -- I think it's the right attitude to have. In the past when I've played poorly, I have been a little bit cautious. My serve is definitely one of my strengths. I think I've been serving better and better in the last week. I hope it continues.

TIM HENMAN: I think it can, but I don't think it's really got particularly hot yet. I played here and in Indy and in Washington. I haven't played in Washington, but I will play this year. I've played in Indy when it's really hot. I've been playing at night, hasn't been a real factor. I haven't had a problem in the past. Hopefully I won't have a problem in the future.

TIM HENMAN: He's playing as good as anyone right now. We played a lot of times. We've always had some pretty good matches. He's won the majority of them. I definitely am going into the match with confidence, as the underdog. I think I should enjoy it.

TIM HENMAN: Not really. I think we've always -- we know each other's game very well. There are no hidden secrets, if you like. It will be a question of who comes out and plays best on the day. I can only say that I'm really looking forward to it.

TIM HENMAN: I think more so in the past. I think with the way he's played this year, he had a bad spell, but it happens to the best of us. If you struggle with your confidence, it's a difficult time. I think Larry Stefanki has had a big influence. He's second in the world in ranking, second in the world this year. He is playing well. I'll have to come out and play my best to beat him. I know I'm capable of it.

TIM HENMAN: I think there's probably four guys, Sampras, Agassi, Rafter and Kafelnikov, I think at the moment, they've proved that they can consistently be top four. There's no reason why I can't. I've beaten the other three before.