THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 24, 1998

Tim Henman

Q. Well done.

TIM HENMAN: Thanks.

TIM HENMAN: Thanks.

TIM HENMAN: Exactly that. I think to begin with, you know, we're both getting used to the conditions. Definitely wasn't easy today. But you've got to hang in there at all times. I hung in in the first set. I think he was able to hang in in the second set. We both got back on level terms, but in each occasion, each set, I was able to, you know, take the initiative. I think in the first set, end of the first set, I really felt I was getting -- I was playing some good tennis. I obviously took that through to the second set. I was up 3-1, as you say, Love-30. I think at that stage, he was probably making a few unforced errors. If anything, I think I played a little bit cautiously. That gave him the initiative. He started to go for his shots a little bit more. But, you know, I played a pretty good game to get back on level terms at 4-All. You know, then I felt I was able to start putting some pressure on again. I think probably the last game was the best of the match, for more than one reason.

TIM HENMAN: Definitely, a continuation of all three matches that I've played. I think I've got better and better. Hopefully I can continue that for the rest of the tournament. I know the matches are probably going to get tougher and tougher. I'm pleased to be through to the quarters, no question.

TIM HENMAN: Just said, "Well done, good luck." I'm sure, you know, he's disappointed to lose the match. I think there's been a lot of attention on the No. 1 ranking. But, you know, if he doesn't do it this week, I still think he's got a few more opportunities in the weeks to come.

TIM HENMAN: You'd have to ask him that. I don't know. But I think once I broke back from 3-1 to go 3-2, you know, I felt my game was beginning to lift. I was a lot more confident from the baseline, my serving picked up. Sure, I don't think he was probably quite as focused as he had been. But, you know, I just had to try and take advantage of that.

TIM HENMAN: I don't know "In my life." Obviously, I'm playing some very good tennis. I think, you know, under the circumstances of the last five or six weeks where I've struggled with my game, you know, it's great to be back winning and playing the tennis I'm capable of. You know, it's something I've got to continue - not just for a couple of weeks - I've got to be able to maintain these high levels to go to the heights that I want to go.

TIM HENMAN: Kiefer or Kuerten?

TIM HENMAN: I lost to Kiefer in Toulouse at the end of last year, a pretty close match. I've never played Gustavo. You know, I'm just looking forward to it. I think beating Korda today gives me a great deal of confidence. I just want to keep that going.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. I think going into the match, I thought about that a lot. I played a good match in Doha, came up a little bit short. Had opportunities there. I served for the first set and didn't take it. I believe I've got a good chance against anyone. But I think that definitely, you know, added to my belief. When I got my opportunities today, you know, I really was going to make sure that I didn't let up at all.

TIM HENMAN: That's right. I could be doing Greg a favor. I don't know whether it's mathematically possible.

TIM HENMAN: Needed Korda's point?

TIM HENMAN: Strange situation. But, as you say, it's pretty interesting with the guys, Korda, Rafter, Rios, maybe in the next few weeks, Greg, all pushing for No. 1. I think it's very good for the game.

TIM HENMAN: That's right. I think I've been a little bit static, obviously. If you don't win matches, you're not going to move anywhere. It's definitely going to start me moving in the right direction, something that I'll be keen to continue.

TIM HENMAN: Yes. He only had an opportunity at the beginning, up 3-1. But I was able to bounce right back and get back on level terms. I thought once I did that, my game definitely went to another level. I started to serve a lot better; I was aggressive; consistent from the baseline. As I said to John, you know, I had opportunities in Doha, came up a little short. But I took a lot of confidence from that match. Today, once I got into situations at 5-4 in both sets, you know, there was no way I was going to let go. Holding serve to love on both occasions I think definitely helped.

TIM HENMAN: Kiefer or Kuerten. I lost to Kiefer at the end of last year in Toulouse in a pretty close match. He's playing very well at the moment. I think a lot of people are expecting some big things of him this year. Gustavo has come through two close matches so far, both 7-6 in the third. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top. At least through to the quarters, watching them do battle.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, I think I'm definitely back playing the tennis I'm capable of. That's a good feeling. But, I mean, you only have to look at the players left in the tournament. You know, this isn't just an ordinary tournament, it's a Super 9 with a lot of the top guys playing.

TIM HENMAN: Probably, yeah.

TIM HENMAN: I actually played -- probably one of the best matches I've played and lost actually. We played on a really, really slow indoor court. I think I lost 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 or something, something along those lines. It was a good match. But he's a guy playing with a lot of confidence. There again, you know, Gustavo is not going to give in easily, having won both his matches 7-6 in the third.

TIM HENMAN: No, I've never played him. As I said, it's nice to be watching them do battle when I'm already in the next round.

TIM HENMAN: Sure. You know, it's been pretty relevant to myself. You know, the last five or six weeks, as I said eight thousand times, you go through those bad patches. By Pete's standards, I think maybe he is struggling a little bit at the moment. Having said that, I still think people in every tournament will still regard him as the one to beat.

TIM HENMAN: I don't know. Don't know if cartwheels is one of my strong points. I'd probably injure myself if I tried that (laughter). Well, no, I was really pleased to finish off the match today.

TIM HENMAN: Don't know. Not something you really think of. You know, it was a relief, great feeling to have finished off the match in a really good fashion. .

TIM HENMAN: Yeah. Korda is No. 2 in the world, pushing obviously, as everyone knows, very close to No. 1. He's had a great year so far. To beat someone of his caliber is a good win by anyone's standards. I think the conditions were harder today also. Against Moya, the tennis was a little easier to play. But today you really had to work for everything. You couldn't take any shot for granted because of the way the wind was swirling. It was a mental and physical battle.

TIM HENMAN: I've got a good record against No. 2's this year.

TIM HENMAN: I beat Ivanisevic when he was No. 2.

TIM HENMAN: Yeah, definitely. I suppose I was pleased the way I played against Muster at the U.S. Open. That's another good win. This is something I've got to just continue to try and do on a regular basis.