I'm loving James Blake's tennis game

bdawg · 05-18-2006, 11:41 PM

I saw this guy play Ancic and his game is so entertaining. His forehand is huge! Even on clay his game is fun to watch. I don't personally like the stye of a Nadal or Hewitt even though they are effective. I'm hoping Blake goes far this year so we can watch him become more succesful.

brucie · 05-18-2006, 11:48 PM

Hes a gr8 player, and his mum was english so we brits can claim him sort of too! Haha Seriously its a shame what he s been through, he broke his spine etc. etc curvature of spine etc. etc. Do you think this has made him a better or worse player, the obvious answer is he could have been better if nothing happened. But maybe it motivated him more?

jings · 05-19-2006, 12:14 AM

Ironically he's getting more success now as he plays a more patient game, working himself into points better before unleashing the big dog. He's a beautifully pure striker of the ball and when on is very very tough to beat. I'm delighted to see him doing well again and hope it continues. A fit and on form Blake at Wimbledon could be interesting as he has a pretty good net game and hits flat and hard off both wings. Don't expect too much at RG, even though he beat Moya this week.

brucie · 05-19-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jings

Ironically he's getting more success now as he plays a more patient game, working himself into points better before unleashing the big dog. He's a beautifully pure striker of the ball and when on is very very tough to beat. I'm delighted to see him doing well again and hope it continues. A fit and on form Blake at Wimbledon could be interesting as he has a pretty good net game and hits flat and hard off both wings. Don't expect too much at RG, even though he beat Moya this week.

Yeah and US OPens good for him too!

jings · 05-19-2006, 12:24 AM

It is brucie and last years run should mean he goes in really believing this year. I think Blake holding the US trophy would be a wonderful thing. Wouldn't be a dry eye in the house if he won it, probably including me and I'm a stiff upper lipped Brit. And no I wouldn't rather see Agassi win it in case anyone's interested - he's had his chances over the years ... assuming he can even make it this year.

brucie · 05-19-2006, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jings

It is brucie and last years run should mean he goes in really believing this year. I think Blake holding the US trophy would be a wonderful thing. Wouldn't be a dry eye in the house if he won it, probably including me and I'm a stiff upper lipped Brit. And no I wouldn't rather see Agassi win it in case anyone's interested - he's had his chances over the years ... assuming he can even make it this year.

I'd always like to see blake do well! I know his game doesn't suit clay but it would be great to see him drawn against Nadal at some point in the tournament, I mean he can beat Nadal on hard courts and the french is quite quick for clay so although nadal would be favourite his record against Balake would make him feel uncomfortable!

ta11geese3 · 05-19-2006, 01:58 AM

Yeah, after watching that blake-nadal match at the plo on video I became a Blake fan. His game is just too explosive to not like. On a side note, I watched the match live at the plo, but didn't think much of it until I watched it again...

J-man · 05-19-2006, 03:29 AM

Since Blake made this comeback to the top 10 I've been a fan of his. He has such a good attitude he plays well. He's just a great player all around

bdawg · 05-19-2006, 06:24 AM

I'd love to see Blake play Nadal at Roland Garros. I know he doesn't have that good a chance but I think Nadal would still have problems with that Blake forehand , especially since he takes it so early.

marcus_alsager · 05-19-2006, 06:30 AM

if nadal has never beaten blake then blake will always have an advantage over him

randomname · 05-19-2006, 06:36 AM

thats like saying nadal has the advantage over federer on grass....

05-19-2006, 06:48 AM

No doubt, watching James play his best game is a treat. I have the Agassi-Blake semi on my computer, and it's a great one to relive, even though he lost the match. Just wish he would have slowed down his pace of play at times, especially when serving.

It's hard to find a tennis fan who doesn't like him, and no wonder. With the hardship, the comeback story, and his grit and attitude, what's not to like. The only down side is that he's sometimes like Safin: because he's been inconsistent in recent years, you're hesitant to put too much hope in his results, because sometimes he's capable of losing matches he shouldn't. But obviously James' consistency has improved a lot in the last year.

Definitely look forward to watching him chase down running forehands and crack winners on hard courts this summer. Any results on clay in the meantime is just bonus.

dubsplayer · 05-19-2006, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gugafan_Redux

No doubt, watching James play his best game is a treat. I have the Agassi-Blake semi on my computer, and it's a great one to relive, even though he lost the match. Just wish he would have slowed down his pace of play at times, especially when serving.

It's hard to find a tennis fan who doesn't like him, and no wonder. With the hardship, the comeback story, and his grit and attitude, what's not to like. The only down side is that he's sometimes like Safin: because he's been inconsistent in recent years, you're hesitant to put too much hope in his results, because sometimes he's capable of losing matches he shouldn't. But obviously James' consistency has improved a lot in the last year.

Definitely look forward to watching him chase down running forehands and crack winners on hard courts this summer. Any results on clay in the meantime is just bonus.

I'm not a fan, but not a hater either. He falls into the category of I Could Care Less. Plus, if I have to hear his "story" one more time I think I'll blow my brains out.

LordRaceR · 05-19-2006, 07:31 AM

Yeah, Blake is really cool and fun to watch. My kind of game

Progressive10s · 05-19-2006, 09:55 AM

The mental game is so underrated. Federer probably fights his mental demons everytime he plays Nadal. I wouldn't give Rafa much of a chance of beating Roger at Wimbledon. If Blake faced Nadal at the French Open, the clay court would be the great neutralizer for Nadal. He's on HIS surface against a player who has a spotty history on clay. I would love to see Blake go deep into the French Open, but he has to be patient and wait for opportunties and be mentally tough!

05-19-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubsplayer

I'm not a fan, but not a hater either. He falls into the category of I Could Care Less. Plus, if I have to hear his "story" one more time I think I'll blow my brains out.

Give it 10 or 15 years, when you have some idea of what life is about, you will appreciate what he's been through and accomplished and how rare it is for people to come through things such as he has with his optimism, appreciation, patience, perspective, and humility.

Or maybe you won't.

Freedom · 05-19-2006, 10:35 AM

Would you be interested in sharing that semifinal video with me Gugafan? I haven't seen it.

bdawg · 05-19-2006, 10:50 AM

I think it's on a torrent site. I think you'll have to "spy" to find out which one.

Freedom · 05-19-2006, 10:55 AM

Meh. I tried to get some stuff from there, but I either did something wrong, or I skipped a step somewhere. I ended up with a huge file...full of nothing?

Someone want to explain torrents to me?

dubsplayer · 05-19-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gugafan_Redux

Give it 10 or 15 years, when you have some idea of what life is about, you will appreciate what he's been through and accomplished and how rare it is for people to come through things such as he has with his optimism, appreciation, patience, perspective, and humility.

Or maybe you won't.

I'm 50, think I have a pretty good handle on what "life is about."

05-18-2006, 11:41 PM	#1
bdawg Semi-Pro Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 474	I'm loving James Blake's tennis game I saw this guy play Ancic and his game is so entertaining. His forehand is huge! Even on clay his game is fun to watch. I don't personally like the stye of a Nadal or Hewitt even though they are effective. I'm hoping Blake goes far this year so we can watch him become more succesful.

05-18-2006, 11:48 PM	#2
brucie Professional Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,316	Hes a gr8 player, and his mum was english so we brits can claim him sort of too! Haha Seriously its a shame what he s been through, he broke his spine etc. etc curvature of spine etc. etc. Do you think this has made him a better or worse player, the obvious answer is he could have been better if nothing happened. But maybe it motivated him more? __________________ Head Youtek Speed MP/ IG Speed MP, 16x19, 335g strung, SPPP Strings 53-62lbs Babolat Leather, Gamma Lead, Tourna Over-wrap

05-19-2006, 03:29 AM	#8
J-man Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,054	Since Blake made this comeback to the top 10 I've been a fan of his. He has such a good attitude he plays well. He's just a great player all around __________________ D. It is written

05-19-2006, 07:31 AM	#14
LordRaceR Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Belgrade, Serbia Posts: 327	Yeah, Blake is really cool and fun to watch. My kind of game __________________ Wilson ProStaff Tour90 PTR Pro

05-19-2006, 09:55 AM	#15
Progressive10s Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 394	Nadal versus Blake The mental game is so underrated. Federer probably fights his mental demons everytime he plays Nadal. I wouldn't give Rafa much of a chance of beating Roger at Wimbledon. If Blake faced Nadal at the French Open, the clay court would be the great neutralizer for Nadal. He's on HIS surface against a player who has a spotty history on clay. I would love to see Blake go deep into the French Open, but he has to be patient and wait for opportunties and be mentally tough!