Fish Likes Being USA’s Number One Player

Written by: Staff on 28th February 2012

Fish Likes Being USA’s Number One Player |

Mardy Fish is comfortable in his role as the American number one, but it has also made him very aware of how well Andy Roddick carried the flag for so long.

“Well, it’s been a little while now,” he said. “It feels like and it certainly is different than my past being the third or fourth or 10th American at times. There is not nearly as much pressure.

“And comes a responsibility with it as well. You know, that’s where the match that I played last week in Marseilles (when he lost to 388th-ranked Albano Olivetti), it bugs you a lot more than it used to because you don’t want those guys to have that over you. You don’t want those guys to beat you. You don’t want to give players and your colleagues the idea that you’re vulnerable as well.

“(But) it’s a good problem to have. Comes a high responsibility for sure. And then it gives you a lot more respect as well for someone like Andy who has had the title for so long and has done so well with the pressure.

“But it’s a good pressure. It’s not a bad thing. You know, you’re playing on big courts and you’re playing in front of lots of fans and gaining new fans and respect among players and friends.”

Topics: Mardy Fish