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Chat Reel: James Blake

Tennis star in group of young up and coming Americans

Posted: Thursday May 03, 2001 5:09 PM

Tennis star James Blake idolized Michael Jordan growing up.

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's tennis chat with James Blake. Welcome James and thanks for joining us!
James Blake: Thanks for having me.

From CrimsonSports: James -- I'm a student at Harvard right now. As you might know, your old team is finding out its NCAA pairings at 4 p.m. today. If you hadn't left, this would be your senior season. Do you ever wish you could have another shot at an NCAA team championship?
James Blake: Yes, because we came close my freshman year when my brother was still around. We had a great team. We lost to Georgia. That whole year was a great experience. I would like to have that chance again, but staying wasn't the right decision for me. So, I'm very happy with what I did. And I wish the team the best of luck.

From GS Allen in Van Nuys, Calif.: Other than Roddick, who just claimed a title on clay, who do you feel among the younger generation of American players has the best shot on winning matches consistently on clay?
James Blake: Well, I feel like I have gotten a lot better. I felt like that there weren't a lot of Americans who could play on clay. I think Mike Russell is someone who can play on clay. He has improved a lot. I think he will win Grand Slams on clay. I think as I work on it, I can play on clay. So as I improve, I plan to succeed on clay as well as any other surface.

From Will Bohlen in Cambridge, Mass.: James, I know it's early, but do you plan on finishing your degree after tennis is over? Would you come back to campus in your thirties a la Elisabeth Shue?
James Blake: Absolutely. I think that that is the first time I've been compared to Elisabeth Shue. I plan on coming back and finishing my education. They have a good program at Harvard and allow you to leave and come back. So I could return in my 30's and finish school. I'm not sure I will live on campus. I don't think an 18-year old freshman would want a 30 year old roommate. But I will be on campus for classes.

From Ryan Villar in Manila, Philippines: Hello, did you have an idol while growing up and was there a tennis player that you patterned your game after?
James Blake: I had a few idols. One, being Michael Jordan. I loved watching him compete and play. I loved his intensity in every game. Not just being the best in every game, but in every practice. In tennis, Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg. I loved Courier's intensity and Edberg's sportsmanship. I didn't pattern myself after someone else's game. I did what worked best for me. I worked with my coach and found what worked for me.

From Walter Ledesma in Salem, Oregon: Excluding modifying racquet technology, what would you like to see changed or amended in today's men's game to improve the fans' enjoyment of professional tennis?
James Blake: That's a great question. I just had a discussion about that. One possibility is allowing coaching on the court. Some coaches and players do it and don't get caught. For example, using foreign languages that the umpires don't understand. Or some use hand signals. It would add some energy to the court and really wouldn't add time to the match. Another think I would like would be more fan interaction during the match, like baseball. I think if players could get used to the noise from the crowd it wouldn't be a big problem. But I don't think that will happen.

From menmem: What has the biggest adjustment been for you from the college game to the pro game?
James Blake: The biggest adjustment so far has been the level of play and intensity from my opponent. Every player is playing for his living. So he is going to fight for every point so you have to match that. In college you never know what is on the other guy's mind. He could be thinking about a paper he has due, a final he has to take or problems with his girlfriend. But guys are here making their living and so tennis is the first priority and you have to play like it is.

From Christopher Williams in Austin, Texas: What has been the biggest challenge that as an African-American player you are faced with that "others" are unaware of when dealing with the tour? Also where will you be competing this summer in the U.S.?
James Blake: I don't feel any added pressure being an African-American. I support the game from a grass-roots level to expand the game. I would like for more African-Americans to get involved. I think you see more interest in the women's game due to Venus and Serena Williams. I had Malivai Washington to look up to and my father had Arthur Ashe to look up to. It would be nice if a kid says they have James Blake to up too. But I just want to play tennis. And as far as the second question, this summer I will play at the L.A. Open, Cincinnati, the U.S. Open and Indy.

From Casey Angle in Princeton, N.J.: I had the pleasure of seeing you play quite a few times during your Harvard days. What are some of the advantages of playing college tennis? How did it help your development?
James Blake: College tennis helped me in the aspect of, when I went to college I had offers to turn pro. I wasn't ready mentally and physically. I had older guys in college who helped me grow. I got a chance to play tennis for the joy of playing tennis. The main goal was for team success. So I think that helps me relax on the court now. I really appreciate going to college. And there are some days when I miss my college buddies. But I feel like I had a normal childhood before I began this not-so-normal career.

From Sarah in San Francisco, Calif.: Hi, James. What would you consider your most impressive result thus far? And do you enjoy being grouped with all the other new young Americans, like Taylor Dent, Mardy Fish, Levar Harper-Griffth, Andy Roddick, and, of course, your brother?
James Blake: My best win to date was Wayne Ferreira at the Hopman Cup. That was about a year and a half ago. There have been a few other meaningful ones. Beating Mal Washington at Newport. As I mentioned before he is an idol of mine. And he is a good friend. Just getting a win here at Houston is meaningful. So being listed among the group of young up and coming Americans is great for me, because I wasn't on that list growing up. I think Andy Roddick's success is good for all of us because it pushes all of us. I think we are the next group of Americans after Sampras, Agassi, Courier and Martin, which I think is the greatest group ever.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with James Blake. Thanks for joining us today and good luck on the Tour.
James Blake: Thank you very much.