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| Name: | James Blake |
| Nationality: | |
| Gender: | Male |
| Birthdate: | 12/28/1979 |
| Birthplace: | Yonkers, New York, USA |
| Residence: | Tampa, Florida, USA |
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| Play Style: | Right Handed |
| Raquet: | Dunlop |
| Clothes by: | Nike |
| Shoes by: | Nike |
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About:
Full name is James Riley Blake...Began playing tennis at age five with his older brother, Thomas (born Dec. 29, 1976), a former All-American at Harvard University, and his father, Thomas, who passed away in July 2004 and mother, Betty, who was raised in England...Also has three half-brothers and one-half sister...At age 13, was diagnosed with severe scoliosis (curvature of spine), which forced him to wear a back brace 18 hours a day...Lived with his family in Fairfield, Conn. until 1997 before attending Harvard for two years then moving in 1999 to Tampa, Fla. where he trains at Saddlebrook Academy...Lists Arthur Ashe as his role model "because of his personality and his activities off the court. I use him as an inspiration."...Was inspired to pursue tennis after Ashe spoke to the Harlem Junior Tennis Program when he was a student in the program from ages 5-10...Played two seasons at Harvard from 1998-99 before turning pro in June '99...Finished as No. 1 collegiate player in country after his sophomore season despite losing in '99 NCAA singles final to Jeff Morrison of Florida...Boyhood friend John Mayer, a singer/songwriter, won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2003...Has an 8-3 career Davis Cup record (5-2 in singles) in five ties since 2001...Signed with IMG Models in 2002 and since has done numerous fashion shoots, including 10-page pictorial for GQ in summer of 2003...Coached by long-time mentor Brian Barker (since age 12). |
Highest Rank:
Career High INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking - Singles: 22 (5/5/2003)
Career High ATP Entry Ranking - Doubles: 31 (3/31/2003)
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