Is Blake overrated ?

[JRstriker12]

I don't think he's over rated - he just doesn't rise to the occasion like Roddick in Davis Cup - maybe too much pressure.

Also, Thomas Johansson was just ON the other day. His serving was sick and Blake couldn't get a rhythm to his serve or hurt Johansson with his return game. Think Blake had more than 10 double faults? Hard to win like that if you just give away points.

[Rodditha]

You have reason, just checked out and he lost to Johansson.

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Originally Posted by JRstriker12

I don't think he's over rated - he just doesn't rise to the occasion like Roddick in Davis Cup - maybe too much pressure.

Also, Thomas Johansson was just ON the other day. His serving was sick and Blake couldn't get a rhythm to his serve or hurt Johansson with his return game. Think Blake had more than 10 double faults? Hard to win like that if you just give away points.

Which is true and that could also be the reason.

[formerblakefan]

Originally Posted by edmondsm

Didn't he lose to Thomas Johannson?

Blake isn't overrated. I think he's an underachiever. He has great weapons; forehand, speed, return game, but his fragile mental game causes total collapse in pressure situations. When it's a big occasion, or he starts slow, he's got no fight in him.

He's stayed really healthy these last couple years and doesn't look to be losing his athletic edge at all. So maybe his best years are still coming.

He's definitely an underachiever who doesn't quite believe in himself. But then again, he is getting old, and IMO his speed is going to collapse one day...leaving him hovering around the top 25.

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Originally Posted by formerblakefan

He's definitely an underachiever who doesn't quite believe in himself. But then again, he is getting old, and IMO his speed is going to collapse one day...leaving him hovering around the top 25.

He does believe in hiself, didn't you read his book?

[Rodditha]

Originally Posted by formerblakefan

He's definitely an underachiever who doesn't quite believe in himself. But then again, he is getting old, and IMO his speed is going to collapse one day...leaving him hovering around the top 25.

I still think Blake can do something big, but he isn't mentally tough, he believes in himself and his abilities, his problems are mental.

[formerblakefan]

Originally Posted by Jackie T. Stephens

He does believe in hiself, didn't you read his book?

I did, and his "getting better" philosophy is quite laughable to me. With it, there is no real goal he is working toward. He only works to "get better."

I think he loves to play tennis, but he lacks that competitive spirit one needs to make it to no. 2 or no 3 in the world.

[VictorS.]

Do you guys realize he finished top 5 last year?? I wouldn't exactly call that underachieving. He probably hasn't had that break-out Grand Slam performance that many of you are looking for. However, with guys like Fed, Nadal, & Djokovic in the mix....it's not the easiest thing in the world to do at the moment.

He had a real nice win in davis cup quarters vs. robredo. That was a real crucial win.

[jetlee2k]

I think Blake is way overated.. He lost too easily.. His mental game is too fragile.. He can't hang tough in there.. He lost some matches that he's up 2 set to love 4-1.. then lost it.. I just don't get it.. he's a type of player hit or miss.. Does not have enough consistency to back up his game.. I would win any big events.. He chokes under the pressure.. Pat should give chance for younger guys..

[musicalmedic81]

Actually, Blake has only lost 1 out of his last 4 davis cup matches. Won both his rubbers in the QF against Spain, which included a clutch straight set win over Tommy Robredo to give Roddick some breathing room. Then another straight set win over Feliciano Lopez. And he pummeled his opponent today (cant remember his name) in the dead rubber. Thomas Johansson is by no means a pushover, the guy has a GS in his bag. Blake got a set from him but just couldnt keep the momentum. Its been said plenty before, Blake is a very streaky player and he's going to tank a match every now and then. As a fan of his, Ive learned to accept that and just enjoy watching him when he's playing well. it makes you really appreciate when he's on, cause when Blake gets in the zone, theres only 1 man in the world who hits better.

[edmondsm]

Originally Posted by VictorS.

Do you guys realize he finished top 5 last year?? I wouldn't exactly call that underachieving. He probably hasn't had that break-out Grand Slam performance that many of you are looking for. However, with guys like Fed, Nadal, & Djokovic in the mix....it's not the easiest thing in the world to do at the moment.

He had a real nice win in davis cup quarters vs. robredo. That was a real crucial win.

4 in the world was a huge result for sure. But his performance at the slams IS disappointing, and it's not because he's always running into Fed like Roddick does. Since he reached 4 in the world he hasn't come close to living up to his seeding at a slam. He gets beat by much lower ranked players all the time. And it's the way he loses that is so frustrating. Not being able to close out matches when he should have the momentum. Going completely sour mentally and moping around the court getting spanked like he just wants to go to the locker room.

If he truly wanted to win. He would go get a new coach like every other player does. He has to have heard everything Brian Barker has to say at this point. He needs a new perspective if he wants to advance to another level. But the fact that he would rather keep his buddy on the payroll rather than get some new ideas shows that he doesn't have the desire to win that most pros do.

[musicalmedic81]

That is a good point. His long time coach Brian Barker has been with him through all of his trials and hardships. I think that Brian crossed that dangerous line that separates business and personal matters and became one of James's best friends. Which is great that they have that connection, but it its possible that James game suffers from it. It doesnt seem like Brian coaches James to alter his game very much. Just think of what James could be capable of if he was under the wing of someone like Brad Gilbert. What would be a DREAM pair up, is if Andre Agassi would not replace Brian Barker, but step on board and join Blakes camp as a co-coach or what not. Thats a good point about the coach im glad you brought that up.

[Richie Rich]

after all that has happened to him i doubt he puts too much pressure on his ranking. he's probably happy enough being top 10 and enjoying himself.

[saram]

if anyone underachieves...it is Roddick. Look at that serve, that forehand....wow. Should have more than one slam considering two powerful weapons....(lol).

[Rodditha]

Yeah totally true, at least he won a slam.

[saram]

Originally Posted by Rodditha

Yeah totally true, at least he won a slam.

Yeah, over JCF on a fast hard surface. Had Andy and JFC met at the French in the finals, JCF in straights:

6-2, 6-1, 6-3

[Rodditha]

Originally Posted by saram

Yeah, over JCF on a fast hard surface. Had Andy and JFC met at the French in the finals, JCF in straights:

6-2, 6-1, 6-3

Are you serious about the score of that final ? was it that easy ?

[RoddickistheMan]

Originally Posted by edmondsm

Didn't he lose to Thomas Johannson?

Blake isn't overrated. I think he's an underachiever. He has great weapons; forehand, speed, return game, but his fragile mental game causes total collapse in pressure situations. When it's a big occasion, or he starts slow, he's got no fight in him.

He's stayed really healthy these last couple years and doesn't look to be losing his athletic edge at all. So maybe his best years are still coming.

I think Isner would be the best bet out of those three. Young still needs work and querry to me doesnt seem to be motivated enough yet to play at his best. Isner has the mental game down and the powerful weapons to take out most of the davis cup players.
________
CHRYSLER NEWPORT HISTORY

[RoddickistheMan]

Originally Posted by saram

if anyone underachieves...it is Roddick. Look at that serve, that forehand....wow. Should have more than one slam considering two powerful weapons....(lol).

Answer:Roger Federer
________
A7

[icazares]

Originally Posted by Rodditha

Yeah totally true, at least he won a slam.

Well, that US Open should have been Nalbandian's. Do you remember the bad calls in the semi, especially the big one when Nalbandian was just two points away from winning the match? But to be fair with Roddick, he has demonstrated that his mind is strong and he's absolutely capable of great wins, if not Grand Slams, with his one-dimensional game. It's a fact of the game that the serve is the single most important shot.

Blake is also one-dimensional. I don't think he's overrated or underrated, he is exactly where he deserves to be. But in any case, you have to admire this guy, not just because of his life experiences, but also because he started playing ATP tournaments very late. In my mind, that is the reason why he never deployed a full-game. It's really hard when you start later than anybody else.

I find hard to believe that we call tennis players overachievers or underachievers, or all that crap. The ATP system is a fair system that allocates points on the basis of a player's ability to win matches. Everybody knows that Blake is way below Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. So, what do you mean by overrated?