James Blake calls for officer who arrested him to be fired

Former tennis pro James Blake, who was wrongfully tackled and arrested by a plainclothes police officer Wednesday, believes that the offending officer should be relieved of his duties.

"I don't think this person should ever have a badge or a gun again," Blake said.

The 35-year-old was misidentified as a suspect in an identity theft ring in an incident caught on cameras outside the Manhattan hotel he was staying at during the US Open.

The officer in question, James Frascatore, has been named in multiple civil suits alleging he has used excessive force in the past and has been subject to multiple complaints from civilians.

"I think that that kind of police officer tarnishes the badge, which I have the utmost respect for, and I believe that the majority of police officers do great work and they're heroes," Blake said. "So this person doesn't ever belong in the same sentence with the heroes that are doing the right kind of police work and keeping the public safe."

Frascatore has been placed on desk duty while an internal police investigation continues.

Blake is the former fourth-ranked player in men's tennis who made three Grand Slam quarterfinals - two at Flushing Meadows - in his career.