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 think when you're learning an instrument, you are restricted because much of it is the noise of individual theory and your ability to play the instrument.
It is good to get a lot of confidence and get the ball rolling.
I was definitely more relaxed and found a little more of the happy medium,
I think this is the first time I've been picked. It should be fun, and hopefully I'll start us off on a good note.
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.
Just to keep me calm, ... I might have been a little too hyper if I was going out there in front of those crowds this week ...
I think it has been blown out of proportion that the grass was meant to make them uncomfortable. It was all about our being comfortable. It's the surface Andy is most comfortable on and I think he's the second best grass court player in the world.
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.
The rain delay helped me, ... My coach gave me some advice. I regrouped and came back more focused.
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.