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
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 don't think I'll nervous because I know I have nothing to lose. (Losing to) Andre Agassi in the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open, I'm sure as heck not going to go home and say I had a bad tournament.
I do feel confident in my game. It's just a matter of putting a few wins together and maybe getting lucky here or there on a few tough points.
It doesn't get better than this, ... If every week were like this I would never retire.
I got to give my best win to Andre Agassi, being a legend, everything he's accomplished. That match, it just seemed like everything was going right for me, as it did today similarly. But, you know, it was emotional to really beat Andre Agassi, someone I idolized.
I brought that up just about every 20 minutes of the match. 'Yeah, good call, it's going to go quick.'
Still seems like a dream come true. Never seemed possible at the beginning of this week. It couldn't have been more perfect to do it in front of my friends and family. I know there's going to be a little bit of celebrating in Fairfield.