Blake eyes Grand Slams
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ByEurosport
Published 21/11/2006 at 13:58 GMT
James Blake has set his sights on success in next year’s Grand Slams after finishing the season a career-high fourth in the world rankings. Blake beat three top-10 players to reach the final of the Masters Cup in Shanghai to climb four spots from eighth t
TENNIS, James Blake
Image credit: Imago
The 26-year-old said he now has the confidence to compete in next season's big tournaments - although he has to work out a way to get past the all-conquering Roger Federer first.
"If I could do something about that (Federer), then I've got a good chance maybe at one of the Grand Slams," Blake told AFP.
"I think Australia is a good chance for me. The US Open is a good chance for me. The other two surfaces I'm not as comfortable on, but I still think I can improve on those surfaces.
"You never know. Being number four in the world gives me better draws at the Grand Slams, and I know it also comes with added pressure.
"But I feel like I'm up to that now, being a little older, more mature, learning a lot from the guys who come before me, and I think I do have a chance at the Grand Slams."
Blake claimed five titles and broke into the top 10 for the first time this season, one of tennis' greatest recent come-backs after breaking his neck then losing his father to cancer during a devastating 2004 season,
"To to be sitting on my couch dizzy and feeling like I couldn't get up to get anything to eat two years ago, to being number four in the world now, to me is something I don't stop and think about too often because I know it would just make me tear up or something," he said.
"It's something that I never thought was possible. I'm proud to have done it. But I know there's no chance in the world I would have been able to do it without the people around me."
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