Former American ATP star made a unique gesture at the ongoing Indian Wells tournament. This is America’s other hard court expert, Mardy Fish. Now Fish has a long connection with this prestigious tournament. Not to forget how this American ATP star won his Indian Wells title back in 2008 against David Nalbandian. His fans remember this victory more because Mardy Fish achieved this victory with a hole in his shoe.

Fish has always been a great human being to his fans. More than that, he appeared as a cool-headed guy to the tennis fraternity. He once jokingly revealed his situation after losing to Swiss maestro Roger Federer in 2005. His praise for Djokovic was very funny for the fans. Now this former ATP star is back again to steal the cameras of the tournament from his seat at the stadium gallery.

Mardy Fish chugs a beer looking at one of the cameras of the Indian Wells Tournament 2024

Recently, the official X (formerly Twitter) channel of Tennis TV shared a clip. In this clip, fans spotted Mardy Fish chugging a beer as soon as the commentator started talking about his 2008 victory and the camera spotted him. Fish was holding a can of beer which he chugged looking at the camera. Sharing this clip, Tennis TV wrote- “Cheers, @MardyFish #tennisparadise.” 

Fish had a long association with this prestigious tennis tournament. However, his gesture represented how special his 2008 BNP Paribas Open win meant to him throughout his professional career. This ATP star’s epic win in 2008 showed his hard work and dedication to the sport. Now that he is retired, he returned to the Indian Wells stadium as a spectator. He was watching the game between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

After he retires from professional tennis, Mardy Fish is a golfer now. He also advocates for athletes’ mental health.

How is Mardy Fish’s life after he retires from professional tennis?

Mardy Fish is an athlete who is equally great in golf as compared to his tennis skills. This former ATP star received a huge appreciation for bringing his mental health struggles to the forefront. After his retirement, Fish remained an active advocate for athlete’s mental health awareness. Mardy Fish offered help to Naomi Osaka when she wished to withdraw from Rolland Garros in 2021 due to anxiety. Fish said- “ It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to show you are human. It’s okay not to feel okay.” 

This former tennis star also revealed his challenges with stress and mental health. He further added- “It will never be fully behind me; I will always have that part of my life, and a greater sense of appreciation for mental health. I knew nothing about it beforehand, which is one reason I became vocal about it. I still get calls from people on a monthly basis— people you’ve heard of and people you haven’t; college players, pros. It makes me feel like I am helping. My anxieties were from my job, but it doesn’t matter what job it is—a teacher, a doctor, a pro athlete—if you get too far down the road, it will catch up with you.”

Mardy Fish’s recent gesture at the ongoing Indian Wells tournament represented the former tennis star’s light-hearted attitude. It also showcased that despite mental health difficulties, Fish will continue to grow towards positivity. As fans, everyone wishes this former Indian Wells winner a happy life without much stress and anxiety.

Read more: Mardy Fish Makes The Perfect Player And Does Not Choose Roger Federer