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 felt like it's been completely back since I got off the grass,
I felt like I had to hit two winners at least to win each point,
I felt I wasn't moving my feet too well, ... Once I was in it, I started moving my feet a little better, going after it a little more, just trying to take it into my hand. At the start, I felt like I was pushing and leaving it in his hands, and he took advantage.
I felt like I was able to dictate, and once I did that he might have gotten a little down on himself, ... I was able to take a couple of risks early on. I think I hit a couple of clean winners off first serves from him and that can rattle you early.
It was one of those days where everything was going in, ... I felt like I was able to dictate. He didn't get many free points on his serve, but I was able to get some on mine.
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.
I like to think I keep getting better. I feel like now I'm playing as well as I did when I was 20-something in the world. It's been a while since I've really felt like I have played this well.
I don't know how many winners I hit today, but whatever it is, you can double it, because that's how many winners I would have hit against other players. I felt like I had to hit two winners at least to win each point.
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.
It was very important to me because half the tour is in Europe, ... I'm excited and it gives me confidence to know that I can win here. This is the first time I've had success in the European season. Other times I've kind of made my rankings just on the U.S. season and maybe down in Australia a little bit.
It was tough to watch. I kept thinking, 'I wonder how I'd be doing if I was there.' Now this year to go out there, it's just a great feeling.