MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/867
134 MacDirectory INTERVIEW MD > If a manufacturer offers you a new gizmo to use while playing tennis, are you eager to try it or hesitant? JB > I'm eager to try new things, but I always put out a disclaimer that I might be quick to dismiss them as well. I have to feel comfortable and relaxed with something new. If there's too much of an adjustment, it's not worth it. Like with these strings. The first time I hit with them, after about ten minutes I said, 'I'm going to use these strings.' I had to make the switch. It's sort of love at first sight—I can tell if something's going to work or not for me. MD > Do you feel on-court high-tech additions, such as Shot Spot, are improving tennis? JB > I don't think it changes the level of play. If the fans like it, then it's great, because we want to create more fans, which creates more players and that makes things better for everyone. Actually I think Shot Spot decreases distractions because there's no more arguing with umpires. You just go to the screen and everyone can see the call. MD > In your book, you mention hearing Arthur Ashe speak when you were a child. What do you say to inspire the kids that come to see you? JB > My dad was a volunteer at Harlem Junior Tennis Center and my mom would go there and we kind of learned to play tennis there. When I visit there now, I make sure the kids are having fun first, and let them know that they're not there to become the next Arthur Ashe or the next James Blake in terms of being on the court and becoming a pro-player. That wasn't the goal for me either. The goal for kids is to enjoy the hard work, to get better every day and to learn how to manage their time so they do well in school and have fun playing tennis. That's one of the biggest lessons I learned—to get better for the sake of getting better. MD > In terms of your personal life, in 2004 you wrote that your 'serve was broken.' How have those personal difficulties affected the way you feel about playing tennis? JB > It's still important to me because I'm a competitor. I take it hard when I lose. I'm proud of myself when I win, but I definitely have more of an understanding of there being other things in life. I'm so lucky to have friends around me that if I never win or lose another tennis match or never get on the court again, they'll still be my friends for the rest of my life. That, to me, is more important. That's not to say that I'm not going to do everything I possibly can to win a match because that's the way my father always taught me. If I lose a match I'll be upset, and then I have to figure out how that loss can make me a better player. At the end of my tennis career, I want to look back and say I did the best I could. MD > Do you see yourself writing another book someday? JB > This one was so obvious because of everything I went through. I don't want to have to go through more trials and tribulations to come up with another book. I've toyed with the idea of doing a fitness book with my trainer because a lot of the books on diet, fitness and nutrition are so fad oriented that they forget to factor in that people need to do things to keep fit for their whole lives. Doing little things every day can be more effective than doing one huge crash diet that's not going to work for the long term. To have my health taken away, especially when I fractured my neck, you realize how much good health means. MD > After your accident, your coach, Brian Barker, said even if you never play again, to look at what you've accomplished. How important is your coach to your life? JB > Brian shares what I call the 'Barker Lessons' and they can pop up anytime. He's been unbelievably supportive and in terms of teaching forehands, backhands and strokes—I don't think there's anyone better. He takes all the pressure off of me, and studies tapes of my matches, watching them over and over. Brian thinks very similarly to me, but also shares all the benefit of his life experi- ence. He's really thought about the grand scheme of things beyond just being a tennis coach. MD > When you're not playing tennis, what do you like to do? JB > I unwind by playing golf and some poker. Mostly, I like to catch up and spend time with my friends because I miss out on so much when I'm on the road. MD > Do you remember the first racquet you ever used? JB > It was my mom's, a Yonex R-7. I was about the same size of the racquet when I first started, but it was the only one around and I wanted to hit balls. James Blake supports several charities, including Shriners Hospital where he went after his neck injury and The Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, in memory of his father. For more information about Blake and his upcoming tennis schedule, visit JamesBlakeTennis.com. JAMES BLAKE > MORE THAN JUST A TENNIS STAR