Fish Throws Out First Pitch At Cincinnati Baseball Game

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 12th August 2013

ATP tennis tournament in Washington, DC.

Fish Throws Out First Pitch At Cincinnati Baseball Game

epa03809163 USA's Mardy Fish returns to France's Julien Benneteau during their men's singles match at the Citi Open ATP tennis tournament in Washington, DC, USA, 31 July 2013. EPA/SHAWN THEW |

Mardy Fish may not have had much recent time for tennis as he dealt with a heartbeat health issue, but the American made time to go to the ballpark prior to starting play at the Cincinnati Masters. The Minnesota-born player feels right at home in the middle of America and was quick to take up the offer to throw out the first pitch at a weekend Cincinnati Reds-San Diego Padres game.

“I played a lot of sports growing up. I played a little baseball until I was 14 or so. I was born in Minnesota so I’m a huge Twins fan. I know a couple of guys on the team, so I root for them,” said Fish.

While his playing schedule can best be descried as erratic over the past 18 months since he first suffered with his health issue, – he’s played only four events this season, including a Challenger – the 31-year-old seems to be making an attempt to re-install himself on the tour. His scheduling is hampered by the self-confessed fact of not wanting to leave the US, a big problem in the world’s most international sport. Like his healthy compatriots in including John Isner and Sam Querrey, his US-centric outlooks just doesn’t travel very well out in the big broad world.

Fish has a decent history at Cincinnati, finishing runner-up to Andy Roddick in 2003 and Roger Federer three years ago. “I’m excited to be back, I have a lot of good memories here. It’s one of my favorite tournaments and one of my most successful events.”