Will James Blake have a career year?

vllockhart · 01-27-2006, 09:18 AM

Andy Roddick thinks James will have a career year this year. He's been hit and miss so far. He won a tourney but has had 2 losses to guys he's capable of beating.

He seems to be believing in himself a lot better but still has a ways to go. He gotta keep his aggression up and tell himself that he won't lose. I'd just plotz to see him win a major and I think the stars could align that way for him soon if he can start to really routine these guys ranked below him. You have to get to the big matches consistently before you can start winning them.

Just a HUGE fan's humble opinion.

fantenam08 · 01-27-2006, 10:18 AM

I'm a novice when it comes to tennis, but my prediction is he will win a few more atp titles and possibly make it as far as the 4th round or Quaterfinals at the US Open. Possibly the second or third round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He will end a moderately successful year ranked somewhere in the teens, and with the satisfaction of enjoying the highest rank he ever had, and promises for a better 2007.

I'm also a Blake fan, love his tenacity, but he gets ahead of himself when he is playing, and costs himself vital points. He is mentally tougher, but I am afraid he will still fall short of his goal. I don't see him as a grandslam winner. The US open would be his best chance, and even there, he would have to beat either Roddick, Hewitt, or Federer first, and all those players have dominated him at tournaments.

fantenam08 · 02-11-2006, 01:15 PM

bump for Blake fans.

Ronaldo · 02-11-2006, 01:33 PM

Still seems to give away too many points after overhitting. But gotta run what you brung to the match. Lucky to see his match with Agassi replayed in Hi-Def on new years eve. Final point summed it up. Predict it will stay an Instant Classic.

PM_ · 02-11-2006, 02:04 PM

well...he's already won a tourney in...just over a month. i would say he got a good start.

VictorS. · 02-11-2006, 05:35 PM

It'll be tough for him to win a grand slam title this year. However, I think a Masters Series title is very achievable for him. In addition, if he can be consistent, win some titles here and there, and play solidly at the slams...there's no reason why he couldn't get within the top 10.

goober · 02-11-2006, 08:57 PM

I think he will have one of his best years this year. I can't see him winning a slam or even a masters title unless he gets a very good draw from injury or unexpected losses on his side of the draw. He probably will win a more titles this year than any other year and will likely finish in the top 15.

Objective Danny · 02-13-2006, 11:34 AM

He'll win a couple of big tournaments and be competitive in the Slams. Don't be surprised if he take home a Grand Slam Crown.

Moose Malloy · 02-13-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

I'd just plotz to see him win a major and I think the stars could align that way for him soon

He's 26, its a now-or-never time for him. I think the stars already aligned for him & missed his only chance to ever reach a slam final in New York last year.
He's just not mentally tough enough to do well in the majors(horrible 5 set record)
And losing in straight sets to Robredo in Australia without much of a fight, tells me how far his career will progress.

VictorS. · 02-13-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose Malloy

He's 26, its a now-or-never time for him. I think the stars already aligned for him & missed his only chance to ever reach a slam final in New York last year.
He's just not mentally tough enough to do well in the majors(horrible 5 set record)
And losing in straight sets to Robredo in Australia without much of a fight, tells me how far his career will progress.

I disagree. Blake went to college unlike guys like Roddick and Federer. So I don't think he has the miles and stress that those guys have. It doesn't surprise me that he's playing his best at this age. He started (on tour) much later than the other guys. So it really wouldn't be a real surprise if he has his best tennis yet to come. You see guys like Agassi, El Ayanoui, Santoro, and Johansson playing well in their early 30s. Blake to me is a young 26.

Grimjack · 02-14-2006, 06:04 AM

Blake had his career year last year. He made a GS quarterfinal, and didn't succumb to any major ailments. I think this is probably the ceiling for him. We just saw Ginepri's career year, too.

jtreed2000 · 02-14-2006, 06:54 AM

I agree with Ronaldo. He hasn't found the right balance of aggressiveness yet. He's obviously extremely talented, but doesn't pick the right shots a lot of the time. He will be a top 25 player as long as he wants just on raw talent, but I think he could be top 10 or even top 5 if he can get stronger mentally and learn to play a little smarter; he doesn't need to "go for it" the extra 10-15 times a set. He's very fast and has the shots on both wings, but he could develop more game at the net, just for some variety and to keep the other guy guessing.

Ripper · 02-14-2006, 10:16 AM

Imho, Blake's game is all about ultra fast courts. Expect him to do well on those.

tennisnj · 02-14-2006, 11:00 AM

I found this interesting website which lists the ages of all the male Grand Slam event winners from 1968-2005. While this may not deal w/James Blake directly, you can see at his age, some of the names of players who have won one of the 4 majors.

http://www.tennis28.com/slams/agerecords_winners.html

The site has a wealth of age related Grand Slam information.

Freedom · 02-14-2006, 11:04 AM

I agree that a Master's title is a possibility for him, but a Grand Slam? Not with Federer, Nadal, even Nalbandian, in his way. I like James Blake, but there are just better guys out there.

Moose Malloy · 02-14-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

I found this interesting website which lists the ages of all the male Grand Slam event winners from 1968-2005. While this may not deal w/James Blake directly, you can see at his age, some of the names of players who have won one of the 4 majors.

Most of the players who win slams at 26 & over have already won slams before, are all-time greats, etc.
Among the oldest first-time winners who only won one:Gomez, Korda, Ivanisevic, Muster,Costa, Johansson.
I think the odds are against Blake.

tennisnj · 02-14-2006, 11:16 AM

I agree Moose Malloy, I think he might be playing for Davis Cup glory rather then a Grand Slam championship.

gully · 02-14-2006, 11:52 AM

Nothing against the guy, but he's never shown the fitness and, well, moxie to win a slam -- his game is very energy-INefficient, requiring a lot of high-octane play, and he just simply runs out of gas in some five-setters.

That said, I think James might pull off a Masters' event or two in his career yet. A week's worth of high-intensity best-of-three matches is not at all beyond his capability.

But a slam? Or even a run to a final? I don't see it. I think he played his best to get to a USO quarter last year -- on his best surface -- and he lost (but in a dogfight) to a 35-year-old Agassi.

Grimjack · 02-14-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gully

Nothing against the guy, but he's never shown the fitness and, well, moxie to win a slam -- his game is very energy-INefficient, requiring a lot of high-octane play, and he just simply runs out of gas in some five-setters.

That said, I think James might pull off a Masters' event or two in his career yet. A week's worth of high-intensity best-of-three matches is not at all beyond his capability.

But a slam? Or even a run to a final? I don't see it. I think he played his best to get to a USO quarter last year -- on his best surface -- and he lost (but in a dogfight) to a 35-year-old Agassi.

This guy gets it.

vllockhart · 02-14-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gully

Nothing against the guy, but he's never shown the fitness and, well, moxie to win a slam -- his game is very energy-INefficient, requiring a lot of high-octane play, and he just simply runs out of gas in some five-setters.

That said, I think James might pull off a Masters' event or two in his career yet. A week's worth of high-intensity best-of-three matches is not at all beyond his capability.

But a slam? Or even a run to a final? I don't see it. I think he played his best to get to a USO quarter last year -- on his best surface -- and he lost (but in a dogfight) to a 35-year-old Agassi.

I think the key word you used is "moxy" (moxie?? sp?) The down deep guts required to beat 2 or 3 top guys in a row to win a slam is still missing. He should have beaten Andre in straight sets at the USO.

I was at final of the Pilot Pen last August, and if the crowd hadn't been screaming for him, he would have folded.

But I still have to hope he'll get it one day soon.

01-27-2006, 09:18 AM	#1
vllockhart Rookie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 329	Will James Blake have a career year? Andy Roddick thinks James will have a career year this year. He's been hit and miss so far. He won a tourney but has had 2 losses to guys he's capable of beating. He seems to be believing in himself a lot better but still has a ways to go. He gotta keep his aggression up and tell himself that he won't lose. I'd just plotz to see him win a major and I think the stars could align that way for him soon if he can start to really routine these guys ranked below him. You have to get to the big matches consistently before you can start winning them. Just a HUGE fan's humble opinion.

02-11-2006, 01:33 PM	#4
Ronaldo G.O.A.T. Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 12,125	Still seems to give away too many points after overhitting. But gotta run what you brung to the match. Lucky to see his match with Agassi replayed in Hi-Def on new years eve. Final point summed it up. Predict it will stay an Instant Classic. __________________ LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US

02-14-2006, 11:00 AM	#14
tennisnj Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,176	I found this interesting website which lists the ages of all the male Grand Slam event winners from 1968-2005. While this may not deal w/James Blake directly, you can see at his age, some of the names of players who have won one of the 4 majors. http://www.tennis28.com/slams/agerecords_winners.html The site has a wealth of age related Grand Slam information. __________________ "Stroke it, don't poke it." "Striving to keep our balls in play."

02-14-2006, 11:16 AM	#17
tennisnj Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,176	I agree Moose Malloy, I think he might be playing for Davis Cup glory rather then a Grand Slam championship. __________________ "Stroke it, don't poke it." "Striving to keep our balls in play."

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