James Blake

James Blake is a former professional tennis player known for his powerful forehand, speed, and remarkable comeback story. Blake turned professional in 1999 after a standout college career at Harvard University, where he was the top-ranked collegiate player in the United States. He achieved significant success on the ATP Tour, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 2006. He won ten singles titles and was known for his tenacity and sportsmanship, making deep runs in several Grand Slam tournaments, including quarterfinal appearances at the US Open in 2005 and 2006.

Blake's career is marked by his inspiring return to the sport after a series of setbacks in 2004, including a severe neck injury, the loss of his father, and a bout with shingles that temporarily paralyzed part of his face. His resilience and determination during this challenging period earned him widespread admiration and the ATP Comeback Player of the Year award in 2005. In 2007, he published a book, "Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life," which hit No. 15 on the New York Times bestseller list. Later, in 2017, he published his second book, "Ways of Grace: Stories of Activism, Adversity, and How Sports Can Bring Us Together" precipitated by an incident in 2015 where he was wrongfully profiled, assaulted, and arrested by a plainclothes officer in New York.

Blake was a vital member of the United States Davis Cup team, helping lead the squad to victory in 2007, and he represented the United States in tennis at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Blake had a notable run in the Games, reaching the semifinals, ultimately finishing fourth after losing the bronze medal match to Serbia's Novak Djokovic. The same year, he was awarded the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award. Known for his engaging personality and articulate nature, Blake transitioned smoothly into a career in broadcasting following his retirement from professional tennis in 2013. His insightful commentary for major networks like ESPN and Tennis Channel, informed by his extensive on-court experience, has earned him respect within the tennis community.

Blake has also ventured into entrepreneurship, particularly in the burgeoning sport of pickleball. Recognizing the sport's growing popularity, he co-founded the Major League Pickleball in 2021. By leveraging his experience and passion for tennis, Blake aims to elevate pickleball's profile and create new opportunities for players and fans alike.