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
Being this close to home, you really can't beat it with this crowd, ... I'm staying in my own bed, being around so many friends, people that go way back, that know me from when I was a kid, is something that is very rare on tour. We travel the world, so it's very seldom that we're in our hometown.
You have to play pretty close to perfect.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
And I think the fans, as he gets closer and closer to history, will appreciate it more and more.
We weren't sure if I was ever really going to be back to a 100 percent, if I was ever going to be back to this level again. I said whatever tournament I win, the next Grand Slam, you have to wear a gold tooth for the whole time I'm in the tournament.
I've never seen that called in my career.
I've never played well in Europe before but it's been great so far,
I've never played well in Europe before and it feels like I'm home again. I love it here. It's been great so far.