Blake Versus Fish - Friends' Match
James Blake and his good friend, fellow American, Mardy Fish, met at the 2008 U.S. Open with a spot in the round of 16 at stake. When Serena Williams played her sister Venus Williams there were many discussions about how difficult it is to play someone very close to you. Close friendships between players on the pro tennis tours are rare because of both the hectic, independent schedules that the players have, as well as the
constant competition each week. Nonetheless, there are some strong friendships on the Tour such as Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya, and it appears that Blake and Fish is another one of them. Clearly, Blake and Fish know each other’s games very well and for some players this makes them more relaxed when they play each other in a tournament. For others, there is actually more tension when they play a friend perhaps because one feels badly when the other isn’t playing well, etc. Imagine playing your best tennis buddy from your weekly game on center court at the U.S. Open? In the end, one hopes that when friends are forced to play each other on the tennis tour they can adopt the attitude of “letting the best player win” on that day. The winner then buys the post-match beers!
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