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
If all the elements are in place, you should get 80 percent of what a song has to offer no matter how you hear it, whether on headphones or on the radio.
I don't want respect just because I'm in the Nike ad or just because I've got some sort of endorsement deal, ... I want people to look at me as a tennis player, as a legitimate player that's won a lot of matches. I'm doing my part these last couple days to prove that to them.
His serve obviously gives him a lot of confidence. I think I had about five chances to break in the match and didn't get near any of them. It's frustrating to deal with because it makes you feel under pressure when you serve.
His serve is a joke. Sometimes it doesn't matter how you return. He can ace you out of a game. If he's hitting his spots, serving at 140 mph from that angle, there's not much you can do except say 'good serve' and move on and not get frustrated. I have to focus on holding serve like I did today.
He's been my biggest win in my career so far. Hopefully it will be again.
Hopefully the maintenance crew won't have as much to do on the court after the first match here. Andy actually came up with that joke, so I blame him. This is the first time my name has been picked. I'm usually second. But playing first, it should be fun.
He was serving big. I don't think he missed many forehands and his backhand was more solid than I'd expected after practicing with him a lot in December. He played a great set.
He helped me make just minor adjustments. He said, 'Look, you've been broken one time. He had one break point and got it, and you had two and didn't get them. It could easily be the other way. There's no reason to change anything major.' And I didn't.
He made me earn it today. He's gotten me in so many close matches and beaten me up so many times.
What does that say about men's tennis these days? They're two pretty cute girls. I don't blame him.
I look forward to playing a guy like (Haas). He is someone who really has been at the top of the game and whether or not his ranking states it, he is one of the top players in the world, ... Beating guys like the way I have the last two days makes me think I can hopefully do some good things the rest of the week here and the next two weeks at the U.S. Open.
I hate to let go of a well-kept secret, but I have one of the best coaches in the world,
I felt like it's been completely back since I got off the grass,
I felt like I had to hit two winners at least to win each point,