James Blake
James Blake
James Riley Blakeis an American retired professional tennis player. Blake is known for his speed and powerful, flat forehand. During his career, Blake had amassed 24 singles finals appearances, while his career-high singles ranking was World No. 4. His career highlights included reaching the final of the 2006 Tennis Masters Cup, the semifinals of the Beijing Olympics and the quarterfinals of the Australian Openand US Open, as well as being the former American No. 1. His two titles for the...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth28 December 1979
CountryUnited States of America
Last year, watching this on TV, this is kind of what I was dreaming of, playing a night match at the Open again,
He made me earn it today. He's gotten me in so many close matches and beaten me up so many times.
It helped with my perspective, with knowing that every match isn't the end of the world.
He's one of the hottest players on the circuit right now, ... And I'm playing close to my best, so it should be a good match.
I went to Harvard but that doesn't mean I'm that bright, ... Once in a while I'll slow down but not today.
Every different scenario was going through my head,
I've come over a few times and not had much success, which is frustrating. I like playing indoors. I feel really good here even though it's not the same kind of crowds as I have on my side in the United States.
This is the first time I've had success in Europe, previously I've only done well in the States and maybe in Australia.
That generation I think people are now realizing was kind of a freak phenomenon, just an unbelievable time in American tennis. Now I think we're going to see our true potential and see how well we can do.
I have said it before, that if every week was like this, I would never retire,
Any time getting on a grass court is going to be pretty fast, especially a lot faster than the hard courts we've been hitting on. It's just going to be a matter of time getting used to it. I feel comfortable on it. It's not a huge adjustment from the hard courts. It's still quicker. You have to change your game a little more, the movement's different.
Your heart drops a little. You feel that in your stomach, once you realize it's over, ... You've got to just walk up there and congratulate Andre. That's all I could do, is think about how proud I am and move on.
It was impressive to watch him on the courts of the French Open, ... Let's hope it is different here in New York.
The ups and downs are going be everywhere no matter what sport you're in, no matter what profession you're in,