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
calm court gives giving knowing life lose losing match nearly opportunity perspective player run shots start tennis worse
I really think it is going to in the long run make me a better player giving you the perspective of being out on the court knowing that it's not the end of the world if you lose and that gives you the opportunity to go after your shots a little more, ... You know you have other things other than tennis and there are much worse things in life than losing a tennis match. So it will give me a better perspective, a little more calm on the court. Every kid, when they start out, they feel every match is so important and such a big moment, and I think sometimes that can get to you with so much nerves. Now I don't feel that nearly as much.
attack both brian gave opportunity placing shots start
Brian was uncomfortable to start and that gave me an opportunity to attack on him. I executed from the start and was placing my shots on both sides.
couple dangerous hurt matter playing pushing shots
Fernando is always dangerous no matter what, and he started playing like the Fernando I've come to know, the one who can hurt you in an instant. He wasn't pushing like he was in the first couple of sets. He was going after his shots and they were going in.
confident shots
I feel confident to go after my shots and feel pretty clear-minded at big moments,
adjust andre beating blast corner figure hat might shots tip trying winners within
I'm going to try to play within myself, ... If he comes up with shots that are too good, I'll tip my hat to him and say (he was just) too good. If I do need to adjust, if I'm getting beat, if I'm down a set and a break, he's really beating me that way. I might have to adjust and figure out some other way to play. But I'm not going to go out just trying to blast winners from every corner just because it's Andre Agassi. I'm going to try to play my game.
week
I have said it before, that if every week was like this, I would never retire,
adjustment change court courts faster game grass hard hitting huge matter time
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.
drops heart move proud realize walk
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.
courts french hope impressive watch
It was impressive to watch him on the courts of the French Open, ... Let's hope it is different here in New York.
downs everywhere matter profession ups
The ups and downs are going be everywhere no matter what sport you're in, no matter what profession you're in,
gentlemen guys kids locker proud true
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.
fought good great guess heart played
I never feel great after a loss, but I guess it's about as good as I can feel. I fought my heart out. I did everything I could, ... He just played too good for me at the end.
arthur definitely flattered humbled name sentence time
I am definitely flattered and humbled any time I can put my name in the same sentence as Arthur Ashe.
cheering everywhere favorite stands york
I'm from New York and I'm still the underdog. He's the favorite everywhere he goes. If I was in the stands I'd be cheering for him, too,