ATP Tour World Championship

November 24, 1998

Tim Henman

Q. How do you feel about a great victory? How do you see the match?

TIM HENMAN: I think it was mostly about my serve. In the matches that I played previously, I've been at my most effective when I was persistent and was aggressive. Today early on, when I came in, especially on his second serves, he passed me a lot of the time. But I felt like I was beginning to find my feet, find my rhythm, find my range. You know, on my first serve, I don't think I lost too many points when I made it. So my first serve percentage wasn't amazing by any stretch of the imagination. When I was serving as hard as I was, I think it puts him under more pressure.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. You know, he didn't -- I don't think he had any breakpoints on my serve in the first set. You know, to play the game that I did to break him to win the set, you know, is a big boost for me and I think for sure it knocks his confidence. You know, likewise, to get one opportunity in the second set and take it straightaway is the way to really put the nails in the coffin.

TIM HENMAN: It's one of those situations when things don't go your way, I think from his point of view, the injury starts to get a little bit worse. You know, a set and a break, the match is there for the taking. But you're not going to let your concentration wave or wander. I finished off the job very satisfactorily.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, different circumstances. I realized after Stockholm that it was a big relief to be in the World Championships. But once I got here, I was ready to perform. You know, that's definitely what I did today. I came out here, was aggressive, and I took my chances. So I kind of have a different attitude. There was not a lot to lose this week. I think I had a lot to gain.

TIM HENMAN: I felt like the conditions, not necessarily the court, but I think the ball is a little bit heavier. In Basel, it was a heavy ball. I served very well there. In Stockholm, I thought it was very quick. It was very light, the ball was flying around. I found that a little bit difficult to control. But the conditions here are ideal for me. I definitely had a lot of rhythm on my serve. That is obviously an important part for me. It was critical in the match.

TIM HENMAN: In the World Championships, it's a big stage. Everything's big here. It's a big stadium, big matches. To beat the No. 2 player in the world is always going to be satisfying. I wouldn't say that my tennis was amazing or anything, but it was a very consistent, high level. That's key, I think.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, straight sets. I know that there's room for improvement. You know, this was going to be a tough match, and I came into it very positive. Even if I'd lost, I knew I still felt that I'd have a chance of qualifying. You know, to have a win of this nature is a great start. Definitely won't be easy matches to come.

TIM HENMAN: I played him twice this year.

TIM HENMAN: Here last year, okay. Definitely, I think to have a taste of it. I didn't really feel part of it last year. I was a pretty distant alternate. You know, I came here and I took my chance. I got a taste of the surroundings, and I felt very comfortable when I've been practicing the last couple of days. Once I came on the match court, I was ready and raring to go. I think that was pretty clear, pretty evident in my performance.

TIM HENMAN: It was boxing, wasn't it? Prince Nassim coming to the ring.

TIM HENMAN: I knew that the start was going to be important. I think he's a good front-runner. In the past, in Key Biscayne, in Rome, he was the one dominating. It was imperative to keep holding my serve. I did that in pretty good style.

TIM HENMAN: Maybe it helps him. By the way he played today, I think he's quite confident of taking care of business himself.

TIM HENMAN: In the service games, in the first set, we both were getting good starts, both had 15-Love, 30-Love a lot of the time. That obviously changed at 5-6. A lot of the time I'd come in on his backhand when I was chipping and charging. At Love-30, I went to the forehand for the first time. I don't think he was expecting that. As you say, whether he's injured or not, I felt really confident with my own game. I felt like I had a good chance against whoever I was playing.

TIM HENMAN: I haven't really spoken to him.

TIM HENMAN: No. Drug testing, quick shower and a stretch. Haven't really had the chance to speak to him. I hope he says, "Well played."

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, definitely. The think the weekend of the final in Stockholm, I was definitely tired, I felt flat after that match, I felt disappointed in the days after. But then you've got to put that behind you. When you're coming into the World Championships, I don't think any guy needs motivation. Still, when I practiced in London Thursday and Friday, I wasn't -- you know, I still was struggling a little bit. Once you get here and start practicing on the main court, then the adrenaline definitely starts to flow. That makes a big difference. Once you get out on the match court, you're ready to give it a hundred percent. So you don't need -- I don't think you need any help in that respect.

TIM HENMAN: I think, yeah, that's pretty relevant in March. I wouldn't say that's relevant now.

TIM HENMAN: That was disappointing to lose a match of that nature, definitely was disappointing. Having said that, in March, you know, I could barely hit my hat. I knew that I was still playing really well at that time. Given a bit of luck, things would definitely start to go my way. I felt that was the case in Stockholm. So I knew coming in here on a surface like this, I had a lot of confidence. That's just been reinforced today.

TIM HENMAN: No, Stockholm is a hard court. Stockholm is the same as the US Open. This is the same court as Stuttgart.

TIM HENMAN: This isn't a hard court. This is laid on wood. So, if anything, it's pretty abrasive, which watching the Kucera/Moya match, gives you a great chance to play from the baseline. Having said that, being on wood, it definitely is a little easier on your body. I think that's a good thing at this time of year.