Mardy Fish Is Set For A Return At Indian Wells
by Tom Gainey | March 7th, 2015, 2:24 pm
  • 11 Comments

Former American World No. 7 Mardy Fish is on schedule for a return to tennis next week in the Indian Wells doubles event. The 33-year-old is expected to partner with Grigor Dimitrov in the doubles events.

It’s good news for Fish who hasn’t played an ATP level event since the Winston-Salem Open in August of 2013.

He and former coach Mark Knowles did win a round in the Dallas Challenger doubles event last month.

Fish has battled anxiety issue since first experiencing heart troubles during Miami in 2012. He underwent a cardiac catheter ablation procedure in June 2014 to deal with misfiring electrical pulses in his heart. But the mental issues over the ailment have remained.

In a new interview, he spoke this week to Douglas Robson for the NY Times about this mini-comeback and his battle with illness:

Fish is still on anti-anxiety medication. He remains in therapy. He usually wears a heart-rate monitor when he practices. He has traveled outside the country only twice since competing at Wimbledon in 2012 — to Canada and the Bahamas.

But he is light-years from where he was. He can sleep alone. He has pushed himself in practice matches without incident. Last month, he flew cross-country by himself.

“It sounds crazy, but that’s actually a huge step for me,” Fish said.

Fish said this won’t be a full comeback. Instead, he’ll play Indian Wells and Miami dobules and reassess.

Fish rose to a career-high No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on 15 August 2011 and has won six ATP World Tour singles titles.

In addition to Fish, Marin Cilic, Laura Robson and Tommy Haas are also expected to play at Indian Wells.


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11 Comments for Mardy Fish Is Set For A Return At Indian Wells

brando Says:

Wow I completely forgot about him: thought he’d retired! Would be good to see Mardy again- great game and ace guy!

March 7th, 2015 at 2:53 pm


sienna Says:

Fish actually looks in good shape. As a player he was on the heavy side.

March 7th, 2015 at 6:04 pm


Aarontennis Says:

He has been in decent shape for a few years now, Sienna. Is this your first day following tennis? Hopefully, he can keep his mental capacities in check and actually lead the American tennis brigade, because right now we are relegated to a tree and Donald Duck. So sad….

March 7th, 2015 at 9:00 pm


Margot Says:

@brando
Mardy is an excellent volleyer and doubles players go on for years, isn’t Nestor 40? So he could quite easily prolong his career as a doubles player.

March 8th, 2015 at 1:23 am


sienna Says:

Yeah that is true. He did make some progress there.
But he was a large fellow before. He kept it up then.

Is that a problem in the states tennis players being overwweight?

Harrison has babyfat untill his 30, Isner a few years back, remember Davenport , one of the Bryan brothers looks not in prime shape. A few years ago there was even a guy who looked obese (can’t remember his name)

US tennis has fitness problem.

March 8th, 2015 at 1:31 am


Hippy Chick Says:

Nice picture,ha ha nice tweet hitting with this clown,best of luck Mardy ;)….

March 8th, 2015 at 2:12 am


madmax Says:

Always a favourite amongst existing players.

Good to see that Mardy is making a return. Reading about his ailments though, must be a worrying fear for him to think that the heart can misfire in times of extreme stress.

Not so sure this is a wise move tbh.

March 8th, 2015 at 6:30 am


Okiegal Says:

I have a-fib just like Mardy. It can be very scary. My heart rate was over 300 beats per minute when taken to the ER . I had a mini stroke in 2008….My heart was in A-fib at the time. Yes, I can relate to Mardy and his fears…..been there done that. When my medicine stops holding my heart rate, I too will have to have the ablation. I’m glad he’s back and best wishes to him on his return to tennis.

March 8th, 2015 at 8:46 am


Okiegal Says:

What about Stan the Man regarding weight? It did not stop him from winning a grand slam. Mardy was heavier at one time in his career and did go on a diet regime to lose some weight and he succeeded. The diet was before his a-fib problem came about. A nice thing Mardy did showing great sportsmanship was the same thing Tim Smyzak did. I believe it was at the US open. A fan hollered out just when Rafa was serving. Yes, we Americans may be a little over weight, but know how to treat people. Tim and Mardy, I salute you! Being a good sport shows great character!!

March 8th, 2015 at 9:32 am


MIKE Says:

Fish, when he was top 10, was an arrogant US snob. I feel bad for his mental problems, but don’t forget what he was – rude and demeaning to his opponents. Another self entitled rich brat.

March 8th, 2015 at 7:07 pm


Okiegal Says:

@MIKE The tennis circuit is probably full of self entitled rich brats…..along with high tempered ones and arrogant ones. Could there be any spoiled poor brats?? I personally never saw that from Mardy, but the only time I would have watched him was if he was playing Rafa. I did see that nice display of sportsmanship at the USO one year.

March 8th, 2015 at 8:15 pm

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