jamesblake's Blog - Yardbarker

21
Jan
Won My First Match in Melbourne

Hey guys, thanks for the tip from one of the comments about using capital letters. I really didn't think it made a difference since I assumed most people could figure out that I just write that way on the computer when I'm writing casually so I can type more quickly. But I guess I'll try to be more formal from now on here on Yardbarker. I won my first match down here in Melbourne against Frank Dancevic. It was a straight set match, but I felt like it was high quality tennis. Especially the third set where Frank had some chances and I had to get out of trouble a few times. Now I play Sebastian De Chaunac of France tonight. He's a player that has a lot of confidence right now and nothing to lose. So it could be dangerous. I will have to play well again. He won 3 matches to qualify here and a five setter in the first round. I remember him from college tennis when he played at Ole Miss. My brother Thomas actually played him while we were both at school there. I think he beat Sebastian so I will have to try to make the Blakes 2-0 against him. I'm still having a great time down here and the atmosphere for my first match was exciting. It was a night match and I've got another night match today. It makes for a day of relaxing before the match and then a great crowd usually at night. So hopefully tonight will be more of the same. Take care guys, and I hope you like the more formal version with correct capitalization and punctuation.
40 Comments
14
Jan
Australian Open and my own Fila line

hey guys. i'm in melbourne getting ready for the australian open. it's always an exciting time preparing for the first grand slam of the year. we get a chance to see what everyone has been doing during the offseason. sometimes it's obvious to see who's really put in the hours on the practice court and who is still working there way into the year. there's also a chance to see what has been new with everyone. for me, there is one big thing that is new. i've switched my clothing and shoes. i entered into an agreement with fila. they gave me a very exciting opportunity to create my own line that will begin in a limited edition at the u.s. open this year. until then, i will be wearing the fila line and i'm proud of the tradition fila has in tennis and athletics in general. the brand has a history in the game with the likes of bjorn borg. i hope this relationship is mutually beneficial and i think both sides have a lot of reason for excitement at the beginning of this journey. and of course i'd like to start it with a great result here in melbourne. my training so far has been good. yesterday was the first day here that was really hot, so it's good preparation to get out there and work hard in those conditions to be ready for the way it could be during the next two weeks. i'll try to write again during the tournament.

getty images
14 Comments
12
Jan
Trip to Australia

hey everyone. i'm in perth, australia right now, but heading to melbourne soon. i had a good week in perth at the hopman cup. i got three very tough matches in against dominik hrbaty, nicolas kiefer, and lleyton hewitt. i won the last two, but lost 7-6 in the third to hrbaty. but it was great preparation for the australian open. so now i'm heading to melbourne to have a week of training to be totally ready for the first grand slam of the year. most years i play sydney the week before the australian open, but this year i wanted to change things up and prepare as perfectly as possible to try to have a long run there. i'm looking forward to a good week. i might even be there early enough to sneak in a round of golf. i've heard the course near the crown hotel in melbourne is beautiful and that can relax me. the crown in melbourne is one of the best places for me all year. and for this trip my mom and brother will be there as well. it's always nice to have family around when you are halfway across the globe. australia is definitely a fun place to visit, so they love being down here. it's just a long flight, but worth it very quickly upon arrival. it's time for me to catch up on some sleep now. talk to you guys soon from melbourne.
12 Comments
17
Dec
It's been a while

hey guys, i know it's been a while since i've written a post. sorry about that. but the year has ended and now i'm trying to enjoy the off season. i had a great experience over in asia for a week doing two exhibitions with some legends of the game. i played with roger federer in macau and kuala lumpur. we also played doubles with bjorn borg and john mcenroe. it was an honor for me to be included in this group of players and part of a show that entertained so many people in areas that don't often see that level of tennis. the excitement of the fans was palpable. and the experiences of hanging out with those guys and talking tennis, as well as many non tennis topics was invaluable.

since that time i've been home and had a wonderful thanksgiving in connecticut with my family and friends. watching football all day and eating as much as possible is always a great day to me. and after that, it was back to work on the courts down at saddlebrook in tampa. my coach has been down here with me in my one real opportunity to work on things in my game without being concerned with an upcoming tournament. so we have been enthusiastically working on my game. and since the weather is nice down here we were able to get out on the golf course a few times too. that is a perfect way for me to relax in the offseason as well.

next up i'm looking forward to christmas back in connecticut and i'm hoping for a white christmas since i have a tough time getting into the christmas spirit when i'm outside in t-shirts and shorts. i start the year at an exhibition in abu dhabi. this is my first trip over to the united arab emirates. i'm looking forward to being there as i've heard it's an amazing place. the exhibition will be over new year's and will include federer, nadal, murray, roddick and davydenko. the beginning of a new year is always exciting and filled with anticipation. hopefully i will have some good news to start the year soon. happy holidays to everyone.

JB
20 Comments
03
Sep
Back home from the U.S. Open

Hey guys. I'm back at home in Connecticut now. The U.S. Open is always a little hectic and this year proved no different. It wasn't exactly the final result i was looking for. I won a five setter in the first match against an American player Donald Young. He played well, but it was a good feeling to win a five setter when it was 4-4 in the fifth I played a good game and closed it out. That's a good feeling and physically I felt strong. Unfortunately in the third round I came up against my best friend on tour, Mardy Fish. He played an excellent match and beat me in straight sets. He served and returned really well. I felt a little flat out there, but he had a lot to do with that because of the way he played. If there's anyone I want to see do well this year, it's Mardy and Andy. They are still alive in the tournament and they are both playing great tennis. But as for me, I'm back home and need to put the racquets down for a few days. Sometimes that's tough for me, but it seems like all the tennis I've played over the last few years seems to be catching up to me. For me, that kind of time off means hitting the golf course up here in Connecticut with my friends and brother. I'm not a very good golfer, but I love being competitive at something that we can all enjoy. And with the handicaps it makes it fun to still play with all my friends that are much better golfers than me. So now I'll play some more golf and the next time I have to travel is for my charity event in Richmond, Virginia on the 12th of September. That is always fun, and this year it will be with and Roddick and the Bryan twins. It's always a good time with them. I hope we can put on a good show for the fans down there. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the Open and I'll get back with you guys again soon. Now it's time for your chance to win a copy of 2K Top Spin 3. Best three answers win. What is your favorite upset moment of the U.S. Open? JB
36 Comments

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Won My First Match in Melbourne

Australian Open and my own Fila line

Trip to Australia

It's been a while

Back home from the U.S. Open

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