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
Knowing that I was that close to a semi or final, it makes me realize that the goal going into these Slams isn't just getting to the second week. Maybe I can get in there and win one.
He made me earn it today. He's gotten me in so many close matches and beaten me up so many times.
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.
It's a lot of fun, ... Just being home, staying in my own bed, being around so many friends, people that go way back ... it's something that's very rare on tour. To be back so close to my hometown is a great feeling.
It will definitely be fun if I get a chance to play him. We have some sort of a history in the fact that we've had a few five-setters, some really close matches.
Him and Roger (Federer) have just really dominated this year, ... And so I went in with nothing to lose...It helped me knowing that I had played really close with Roger, played really close with (Andy) Roddick.
And I think the fans, as he gets closer and closer to history, will appreciate it more and more.
Everyone seems to have a connection to me, and that?s such a great feeling. That?s what comes with growing up close to here and going to high school around here and trying to be as friendly as you can to those people around you. It makes for great fans ... even if they do happen to cheer a few times when he double faults. You just kind of grin and bear it.
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,
He's really a true gentleman, ... one of the friendliest guys in the locker room. ... He's someone that you can tell your kids to look up to and be proud of it.