James Blake answered your questions for TENNIS.com from the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells this week.
Q. When did you know you would be successful as a pro? Did it come over time or at one specific moment, like after a big win? –Tim Forsyth
A. I didn't realize I had a shot to play at this level until very late in my life. The time I realized it would be a possibility was when I won a futures on my Christmas break of my sophomore year. I realized then that I could possibly make it against these guys that were doing it as a living.
Q. In your recent Davis Cup matches, it seemed like your quick strike, lethal tennis had resurfaced. Do you see yourself playing more of this style, which coincidentally looks a lot like Sampras' brand of tennis? – Andrew Miller
A. I have always tried to play an attacking style. That is the way I must play to be able to compete with the top players in the world. At times it may seem low percentage, but in the long run it is the style of play that gives me the best chance to win the most matches.
Q. What are your plans following your tennis career? Is commentating a possibility? – Dan Bower/ Tyler Purskey
A. I really don't know my plans following my playing career. I think I will get out of tennis in general for two years to finish school. After that I could come back to the game to commentate a little bit or possibly be Davis Cup captain. But I may also find something in those two years that I am just as excited about and stay away from tennis altogether. There are so many things that I haven't had a chance to explore because my main focus has been tennis for so long.
Q. What does it take to beat Roger Federer? Do you think you'll be able to do it one day? – Vincent Landu
A. It takes a near perfect match to beat roger federer. I do think I can do it one day. But it will never be easy and I will have to play some of my best tennis.
Q. Who do you like to watch on the pro tour? – LaChar
A. I like to watch guys like Safin and Moya. They are both very nice guys and I like their styles of play. They are both very committed to playing the style of play that has given them so much success.
Q. I have scoliosis and was wondering if you still have any curvature in your spine or pain after matches? – Kiru
A. My spine is still curved. I believe the last time it was checked it was still 32 degrees. i have pain sometimes, but I think that is normal for the amount of pounding we as athletes put on our bodies.
Q. I'm a soldier in the U.S. Army and because of Iraq deployments I might not get to see tennis for a considerable amount of time, but I try to keep up with the results whenever I can. Do you think the doubles rules changes like no-ad scoring and the match tiebreak will be introduced to singles after people have become accustomed to them? Would you favor or oppose such a move? – Francisco Benitez
A. I don't think the doubles scoring will be introduced into singles tournaments on the tour. I think the tradition is too strong and the top players would all oppose it because the longer the match, the greater the chance for the better player to succeed. so as much as I think it has been effective for doubles, I don't think it will be implemented in singles.
Q. My dad says New Yorkers always help each other out, so I figured, why not ask? What's the most important thing you would tell a player trying to make his high school tennis team? – Kevin Rodriguez, East Hartford, Connecticut
A. Good luck making your high school team and I'll tell you the same thing my dad always used to tell me. Just work harder than the rest of the people that are trying out.
Q. What do you think needs to be done in order to ensure a good future for American tennis? – Kristen
A. I think the UTA can help younger players and work in harmony with the player's coach. It's difficult to get them all together in such a large country geographically. So they may have to be more trusting of the junior coaches that have helped the talents already get to where they are.
James Blake answered via email from the Pacific ife Open in Indian Wells. Blake's unofficial site is www.jamesblaketennis.com. TENNIS.com reserves the right to edit questions for length and format.