SWIMMING UPSTREAM: MARDY FISH TO MAKE COMEBACK, PLANS FOR SINGLES IN INDIAN WELLS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 1st February 2015

ATP tennis tournament in Washington, DC.

SWIMMING UPSTREAM: MARDY FISH TO MAKE COMEBACK, PLANS FOR SINGLES IN INDIAN WELLS BY RICKY DIMON

epa03809161 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 |

For the first time in almost two years, Mardy Fish will play competitive tennis. The 33-year-old American, whose last appearance came at the 2013 Winston-Salem Open, will participate in doubles at this upcoming week’s Dallas Challenger and he is scheduled to make his singles comeback next month at the Indian Wells Masters.

Fish has been plagued by various health issues dating back to a a fourth-round walkover (given to Roger Federer) at the 2012 U.S. Open. Initially there were heart concerns before an anxiety disorder ultimately sidelined Fish starting in the summer of 2013.

“I do want to play again,” the former world No. 7 said last August. “I’m just not sure if I’ll be able to. It’s still a daily struggle and a daily battle. I’ve come a long, long way from where I was. If I never had any mental health issues, there’s no doubt in my mind I’d still be playing.”

Mardy Fish of the USA returns a shot to Rodger Federer of Switzerland during their semifinal match at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 22 March 2008. EPA/JOHN G MABANGLO

Fish is still playing, and murmurs of his comeback began recently when Ryan Harrison and Nicole Gibbs spotted him on the practice court. He confirmed it on Wednesday, posting the following on his Twitter account: “Next stop… Indian Wells!!!”

Of course, the first stop–albeit a much less prestigious one–will be in Dallas, where Fish is teaming up with Mark Knowles.

The BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells will begin on March 9 before main-draw action kicks off on March 12. In addition to Fish, the tournament could also be site of yet another comeback of sorts for Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentine briefly returned from an 11-month absence in Sydney before recurring wrist problems sidelined him from the Australian Open.

Del Potro hopes to be ready for the end of the American hard-court spring in Indian Wells and Miami.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, Mardy Fish, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

February 1, 2015 at 5:12 pm

SWIMMING UPSTREAM: @MardyFish TO MAKE COMEBACK, PLANS FOR SINGLES IN #INDIANWELLS- http://t.co/kRPz2BHk4f #tennis #BNPParibasOpen