Great James Blake story on ESPN radio

[KBalla08]

holy **** that is funny

[EclipseRydr97]

Originally Posted by quest01

I would last longer then that against Blake. I also wouldnt of got bageled twice. Thats pretty bad if you got beat in two sets in under 30 minutes.

If the number 83 player in the world couldn't get a game of Blake, there's no way in hell you would...

Originally Posted by BeautyVenus

Why is America investing so much hype on this guy? He's proven nothing at all.

Winning record against the world No. 2 (Nadal, who won, what?, 11 titles last year). Semi run at the Open. Takes Agassi to 5 at the Open. Yeah, proven nothing.

It was hype 4 years ago. When you're inside the top ten, it's no longer hype.

[chiru]

i played no.1 for my high school, if only i had been around to play blake, that would be the defeat of a lifetime. i would be bragging about how i kept him on court for so long.

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by mj01

This morning. Reportedly verified as true.

Mike & Mike (morning show co-hosts) were talking about a contest prize they were offering. I didn't catch all the details, but the prize includes a chance to meet Blake. Mike Greenberg apparently lives very close to where Blake played growing up, and, as he plays tennis himself, has met some people who knew Blake when he was a teenager.

So the story he got from them went like this: Blake, unlike (I would guess) 99% of tennis pros, actually played for his High School. He was a nationally ranked junior at the time, so he far outclassed the vast majority of his competition, and would generally take it easy on them. However, at some point Blake was scheduled to play on the same day of his prom. He was on his way to the match when he realized he had forgotten to rent a tux. So he really needed to get off the court as quickly as possible to run that errand. He walked up to shake his opponent's hand before the match, and said "I apologize for what I'm about to do to you".

Then he beat the guy 6-0, 6-0.

In 13 minutes.

That's bullshiit! You can't play 2 sets in 13 minutes.

[Wondertoy]

Originally Posted by zorg

I wonder if Blake will pay a visit to you guys. BTW, Amity will get you next year...

No way, actually Greenwich came in first with 30 points, Amity a distant second with 20 points. Also the entire 5 singles players will return next year. The #1 and #2 position players are #2 and #3 in the state. I have a friend who will be going to Fairfield Univ next year. He hears that Blake drops by to hit with the team every once in awhile. Blake's a great guy, I know his mom as she use to work at the tennis club I used to hit at with Brian Barker. Wilander use to hit with Blake once in awhile when Blake was a top junior.

[ACE of Hearts]

I wonder what was James's record back then in 5 set matches?

[theace21]

Originally Posted by norcal

If the kid would stall like Nadal then he could have stretched it to an hour.

Well said....

[DFWLoop]

Great story. He is one of my favorite players to watch.

[ta11geese3]

Beautyvenus obviously doesn't like america or james blake much. This topic had nothing to do with his current ranking, success, or bad 5 setter record, yet he brings it up out of no where.