Fish To Play Winston Salem

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 16th August 2013

Fish To Play Winston Salem

epa03379622 Mardy Fish of the US acknowledges the fans after defeating Gilles Simon of France during their match on the sixth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2012. The US Open runs through 09 September 2012. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Mardy Fish plans to start stitching together his currently patchy tennis career with an entry into next week’s Winston-Salem ATP event in North Carolina. The 31-year-old has had a hit-or-miss period after his 2012 heart scare as he appears to be deciding whether he can continue as a professional.

He has played just seven matches this season, the last a first-round loss in Cincinnati; his last match of 2012 was nearly a year ago when he pulled out before facing Roger Federer due to anxiety. The American is still not sure where his future lies.

“The post-traumatic experiences that I’ve had are what I need to get over right now,” Fish said in the tournament run-up. “It’s still a process, there’s no doubt about it. I still feel a little uneasy and that’s to be expected. It’s not going to be roses right away. It’s not an easy game, and these are tough tournaments.” At his prime – he was once a member of the ranking top 10 – Fish won six singles titles and lifted the 2004 Olympic silver medalist.