tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post813916192668170423..comments2023-09-20T10:27:39.247-05:00Comments on Savannah's World: James Blake Talks About US TennisSavannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-60683208262907987542015-03-17T11:39:52.748-05:002015-03-17T11:39:52.748-05:00I think you hit the nail on the head. For all his ...I think you hit the nail on the head. For all his faults PMac was trying to get US kids to begin training on real red clay to develop the skills our players sorely lack now. Blake's would be approach will ensure that our players will continue to be cannon fodder in draws for major tournaments.<br /><br />It's a very troubling message for US tennis.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-31718583643459541342015-03-16T03:08:11.985-05:002015-03-16T03:08:11.985-05:00Hi Savannah,
Thanks for this write-up. There is...Hi Savannah, <br /><br />Thanks for this write-up. There is a lot in this interview that should give any fan of US Tennis (at least on the men's side) pause. But I think that your first statement is the most telling. As a player, Blake was focused on being liked, the non-threatening friendly black guy who didn't rock the boat and often played with a "I'm just happy to be here" mentality. I imagine that mentality carries over into his thoughts on US Davis Cup, Sock, Dimitrov, and player development. What I mean by that is Blake is going to tow the line and not rock the boat because at heart he wants to be liked and accepted. Hence his answers a la Dimitrov tow the PR line, his response a la Sock (who is a product of USTA development if ever there was one) and player development does not upset the USTA brass, and his discussion of Davis Cup does not ruffle any feathers. In my opinion, if he were to get this job it would not be auspicous for US player development, which needs to be shaken up, and needs someone willing to challenge the status quo and rethink ostensible truisms. That person is unlikely to be Blake.Professor Livermon's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732809957478557203noreply@blogger.com