Blake Ready to Lead FoxForce
July 2, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
James Blake talked about his appearance in the 2003 World TeamTennis (WTT) Pro League, as he prepares to lead the attack for the Hartford FoxForce in the Eastern Conference. Blake will make his debut on Wednesday, July 14, when he and his Hartford FoxForce teammates host the Delaware Smash. Tickets are now available for Blake's match by calling: Hartford - 877/369-9944 or by visiting www.WTT.com.
On playing World TeamTennis:
"The variation is very different and different from a tour match. The fans get into it a lot more and make it feel more like a team sport. You've got music playing and it's just a lot of fun for me. I really enjoy the different atmosphere and it changes the pace a bit. It makes for more fan participation and allows them to have a better time. I think incorporating some of the format on the regular tour would generate more fans and get them more excited in the stands, and that's what makes me have a good time. I love when fans get involved."
On how his game has changed over the last four years and the turning point in his career when it changed:
"It's improved in a whole bunch of different ways. I've gotten to the point now where I go into matches and play my game and I have the confidence I'm that going to be good enough to win matches. I play so much better now that I have that confidence in my game... It wasn't one big tournament where everything changed, but a couple. Newport was one of the tournaments where I made it to the Semi-finals and then also in Cincinnati. Cincinnati was probably the biggest break for me. I beat two solid Top 50 players...After a match I had with Patrick Rafter he came up to me and said, 'The only reason you didn't beat me is because you didn't believe you could' which gave me a little bit of confidence and made me believe that if I can play with a top player like that, then I can play with anyone in the world."
On the new coach of the Hartford FoxForce - Peter Bradshaw:
"I haven't met him yet, but am looking forward to. One of the things I think that would really help out the tour is to have the coach on the court like we do during TeamTennis. Having someone on the court giving you a little more support during a match I think is going to help the tennis get better. I think he's going to be great and nothing but helpful. "
On the FoxForce's Assistant Coach Bruce Marquis/Police Chief of Hartford:
"I think that's great and very exciting. Those are the type of people that we love playing for, the people that are genuinely excited about the sport. I look forward to meeting him along with the new coach."
On playing the Delaware Smash on July 14:
"Last year I think we lost at Delaware. The day after that final at the Newport tournament I didn't play so great and may have let my team down, but this year, even if I'm in the final at Newport, I'm going to go there ready to play and be sure to do my best to get a win for us that day."
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 2, 2003
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