James Blake aiming to dominate the ATP Challenger Tour 2013 – Tennis News
American veteran, James Blake, intends to reclaim his former glory in the tennis world but he has aimed at the lower-tiered ATP Challenger Tour this season. The former world number four believes that he can reach the number one
ranking on the ATP Challenger Tour with consistent performances this year.
Currently 33-years-old, Blake played his first Challenger Tour match in 1999 and then went on to perform wonders on the elite ATP World Tour. He registered some memorable victories over top ranked players and claimed his career-best
ranking of world number four. However, niggling injuries and fitness problems took a huge toll out of the talented American and he was forced to be sidelined from professional tennis for a significant amount of time. Blake’s ATP World Rankings have fallen
to 121 at the present but he is still confident to attain his vintage class once again.
Blake underwent yet another knee surgery recently and is working extremely hard to make his way back to the professional tennis circuit. The American has decided to focus on the Challenger Tour and register victories against lower-ranked
players, rather than trying his luck once again on the more competitive World Tour.
"[The comeback's] going fine," Blake said from Jacksonville, Fla. "I didn't have a great Australian Open [losing in the second round of qualifying to American Donald Young]. I only gave myself that one chance there, and I had that
one bad match. But I feel great. My body is reacting well and I'm happy to be back on the court. Hopefully, I'll be playing at a pretty high level this week."
The veteran has no plans of retiring from professional tennis any soon and still enjoys playing his game.
"I enjoy it still, and I'd like to keep doing it as long as I can," he added, "The travel is definitely getting old, but I'm still enjoying all the other parts of it."
Blake further told that he intends to improve his ranking but the utmost priority is to sustain his health and fitness. Challenger Tour events do require physical exertion but it is still less than the level of competition needed
to play World Tour matches.
Tags: