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Born: December 9, 1981 Height: 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)Birthplace: Edina, Minnesota Residence: Beverly Hills, CA, United States Turned pro: 2000 Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand) Career prize money: $5,815,885 Career titles: 6 Grand Slam results Website: www.mardytennis.com |
Mardy Simpson Fish is an American professional tennis player, and Olympic silver medalist. He is a hardcourt specialist.Fish has won six tournaments on the main ATP Tour, and has reached the final of four Masters Series events: Cincinnati in 2003 and 2010, Indian Wells in 2008, and Montreal in 2011. His best result at a Grand Slam tournament has been reaching the quarter final stage at the 2007 Australian Open, the 2008 US Open, and the 2011 Wimbledon Championships.In April 2011, Fish overtook compatriot Andy Roddick to become the American No.1 in the ATP rankings.
Early and personal life
Fish is the son of a tennis teaching professional and a housewife, Tom and Sally Fish. He was born in Edina, Minnesota. In 1984 a Minneapolis TV station ran a profile of Fish, at the age of two, hitting tennis balls from the baseline over the net. In 1986, Fish’s family moved to Vero Beach, Florida. He attended Vero Beach High School for tenth grade, then moved to Boca Prep in Boca Raton, Florida for his junior and senior years of high school. He, Andy Roddick, and Jesse Levine all attended Boca Prep International School. During 1999 he lived with Roddick’s family, and the two played on the same tennis and basketball teams.
Fish married Stacey Gardner, a California attorney and “Briefcase Model” on NBC’s Deal or No Deal, in a Jewish wedding ceremony in September 2008 (Gardner is Jewish). Fish’s friend and fellow tennis player James Blake served as groomsman. He is also good friends with Andy Roddick and Bob and Mike Bryan.
He has a group of fans called “The Fishheads” who travel with him and cheer him on during matches.
Playing style
Fish has a very similar playing style to compatriot Andy Roddick. Fish, like Roddick, possesses a huge first serve, which often wins him free points. Fish used to rely on going for big forehands and outright winners to win points in rallies. In 2010, he dropped over 30 pounds, from 203 to 170. This enabled Fish to become much fitter and improve his speed around the court. Due to his recent weight loss, Fish has also shifted his style to that of a counterpuncher, being able to retrieve most balls. Fish has a very reliable double-handed backhand, and can flatten it out effectively. His forehand is his weaker shot. He is a capable player on the net, thus a good doubles player as well. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardy_Fish)
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