Barclays First-timer Mardy Fish Feels “No Pressure”

November 17, 2011 | 14:24

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After an impressive season, American No. 1 Mardy Fish qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals for the first time in his career, Up against the top 7 players in the world, Fish is excited just to be a part of the prestigious tournament.

The only American contender in the 2011 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is also the singles draw’s only first-timer. World No. 8 Mardy Fish qualified for the prestigious year-end tournament this year for the first time in his career. Fish will face last year’s runner up Rafael Nadal at the O2 Arena on Sunday. But Fish told ATP reps he feels “no pressure.”

Fish defeated Nadal for the first time in Cincinnati back in August. Also in August, Fished reached his career-high ranking of World No. 7. He had never been ranked higher than 16th until the 2011 season.

Fish enters the tournament ranked No. 1 in America after wrapping up an impressive season. In 2011 the 29-year-old won his sixth ATP World Tour title, reached the finals at the Rogers Cup and the Farmers Classic, and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

In order to advance in the tournament, Fish will first take on a round robin consisting of Nadal, Federer, and Tsonga. Fish has combined win-loss record of 2-14 against the three opponents, having beaten Nadal and Federer once each.

Federer has come away with an ATP World Tour title five times, but Fish told ATP reps he’s just excited to be a part of the tournament. “[Federer]’s won more times than I can even imagine getting in. So there’s zero pressure playing anyone.”

But after the best season of his career, Fish has never been in a better position to take on those 7 other guys. Thanks to Fish, the 25-year-long tradition of having at least one American in the ATP World Tour Finals will continue this year in London.