For Mardy Fish, it was supposed to mark a high point in his tennis career. Instead, Sept. 3, 2012, stands out as one of the most difficult days of his life.
"I was in the spot where you work your butt off to get to: the fourth round of the U.S. Open against Roger Federer on Labor Day," Fish recalled. "That's why you work so hard in this game and sacrifice so much — to get to that position."
He never stepped on court that afternoon. During the car ride from his hotel in Manhattan to the tournament site in Queens, Fish began to panic.