Mardy Fish regains fitness and is ready for clay court season – Tennis News
America’s top player, Mardy Fish, has got rid of the health scare and started training from Sunday to take part at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston.
Fish practiced at the River Oaks Stadium and looked completely fit, as he ran all over the court, whacking the ball during the hitting session with his new coach, Mark Knowles.
Talking to the reporters, he said, "I thought I would be fine but it's good to get this test in today. I passed."
The American faced some health concern a couple of weeks back in Miami, as he was crushed by Juan Monaco of Argentina in straight sets 1-6, 3-6 in the quarter-final at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Fish went for a check-up with the doctors and they advised him rest for at least a week. He had to withdraw from his country’s Davis Cup clash against France in the quarterfinal of the World Group.
The news of top American’s withdrawal was a severe blow for the USA team, replacing youngster, Ryan Harrison, for the away tie against one of the best European teams.
However, world number 10, John Isner, led his team with the best performance, winning both of his singles matches to steer his side to victory.
Fish said he wanted to be with the team in France and the phone call he made to the captain, Jim Courier, was the hardest ever for him.
The American looked a bit tired after his practice session but that was just because he did not sleep before dawn during the last three days, as he watched live internet streaming of his country’s Davis Cup matches.
Fish shared, "Had to get up (to see) that. Pretty impressive stuff. You can't sleep with the matches going on. I wanted to be part of it somehow, and I would hope people would understand that. I'm really proud of the guys."
The American revealed he was hurt when he got to know that media was speculating that he did not play at the Davis Cup just because of fatigue.
He said, "You would be surprised what some people were writing, saying I was just tired and that's why I didn't go. That's not true. It was a lot more than that."
Ranked ninth in the world, Fish has received a bye in the first round and will face either a qualifier or Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain in the round of 16 in Houston.
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