by Andrew Eichenholz
Sports have the ability to convey more than just victory and defeat. The BNP Paribas Open was no different on an otherwise ordinary Thursday afternoon.
Mardy Fish had not played a professional singles match in 569 days. Heart issues and anxiety were among the maladies that sidelined the former world No. 7 ever since. So, even though his 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3) loss to fellow American Ryan Harrison was a victory for himself, he won a battle for the sport, showing that anybody can overcome any obstacle.
It was not so long ago that Fish was the only American hope. Ranked in the top-10 for 46 consecutive weeks in 2011 and 2012. Andy Roddick’s high school basketball teammate made the finals of this same Indian Wells tournament in 2008, going on a magical run to oust former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer before bowing out to current ranking-topper Novak Djokovic.
Armed with a crafty serve, a delicate touch at net, and one of the most effective two-handed backhands in the sport, Fish could challenge any player on any day.
Nobody would have dreamed that just four years later, the 33-year old would have to enter the highest profile American tennis event outside of the U.S. Open based on a protected ranking.
That he entered at all was an accomplishment.
So, losing to the 110th-ranked, 22-year old Ryan Harrison, who he had beaten three times previously is as uplifting as a loss could come.
Brad Gilbert, an analyst and former top professional himself, tweeted before the match that he “will be surprised” if Harrison did not take the match in straight sets.
Yet, Fish held two match points, and forced one of the hotter players out there to a third-set tiebreak to decide affairs.
The Minnesota-native has feared for his health time and time again. Tennis meant nothing. It is only ironic that his return, at least temporarily, displayed some signs of nerves, especially in key moments. That proves that Fish was into the match, not only physically, but also mentally, and that is a greater sign than anything.
A loss is a loss, but nobody else sees it that way.
“Mardy Fish is amazing,” 10th-ranked WTA Tour player Andrea Petkovic said.
Sure, at tennis he is, but at fighting back, he is a unique animal on the tennis circuit.
For every youth or adult from every age or background going through similar health struggles, they can use Fish as a role model. Not only was he able to break through and conquer his demons, but go out there and play tennis at the highest level in the world.
If he can do that, there are a lot of people who can follow suit.
When Larry Sanders, a former NBA player spoke up about his bouts with mental health, Fish was there.
“I wish Larry Sanders the best,” he tweeted. “Mental health disorders are for real and CAN be beaten! You are not alone!”
And if it consoles Fish’s feelings after his loss to Harrison, the world is there cheering for him.
“Very excited to be through today,” Harrison tweeted after the match. “So happy that Mardy is back healthy and able to play the game again.”
He attached the hashtag “respect” to the message.
Everybody respects Mardy Fish.
