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
I have said it before, that if every week was like this, I would never retire,
I really think it is going to make me a better player, giving me the perspective ... that there are much worse things in life than losing a tennis match, ... It will give me a little more calm on the court.
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.
I really had no expectations at the beginning of the year, ... I was happy just to be playing, even in Challengers. But the U.S. Open was really the turning point. Now I know I can do it and, on any given day, can beat any player in the world.
Being down a set point, I just kept playing my game. Once I got it into my hands, I felt like I was dictating better and things seemed to happen.
Being down a break and a set doesn't mean that much. I knew that I had the confidence to win the match and luckily it came through for me today. I knew I had to pressure early in the third set. He doesn't have much of an offensive game.
I played with a lot of confidence. This is perfect, the heat, to get ready for three out of five (sets) in Melbourne.
I played his brother a few weeks ago. Both fight very hard. They play great defense. So it tough to put balls away even on indoor hard.
In terms of writing more club tracks, writing more electronically influenced - I feel like it was all electronically influenced, but now that influence has come to me in a different way.
I generally try to worry about my side of the court, the things I can control. I feel like I've done a much better job of that now, having kind of different perspective on the game.
It helped with my perspective, with knowing that every match isn't the end of the world.
If there's anyone I'm cheering for it's Andre.
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.
He's sensational. I was impressed by him at the French Open but maybe it'll be a little different here in New York.