James Blake Profile

James Blake started his career with a bang. He was named "Rookie of the Year" in 2000, and pushed that year's US Open champion, Lleyton Hewitt to five sets in the tournament. In 2002 he demonstrated his ability to beat the best by defeating Andre Agassi.

In 2004 James Blake's life and career came crashing to a halt. While training with his coach in Rome, he broke his neck running into a net post. Blake then lost his father in the same year to stomach cancer. Soon thereafter Blake developed shingles, which left half of his face paralysed and his vision impaired.

The young American refused to give in to adversity, and fought back from the brink of disaster to reach the quarterfinals of the 2005 US Open after starting the tournament as a wildcard, defeating Rafael Nadal along the way. Andre Agassi eventually put pay to Blake's hopes of reaching the US Open semifinals, but was forced to win the match from two sets down.

In 2006 James Blake entered the US Open as the 20th seed, but exited the tournament in the third round, losing to Spain's Tommy Robredo. This disappointing performance did not prevent Blake from becoming the second African-American tennis player since Arthur Ashe to reach the Top 10.

Although he has yet to win a Grand Slam title and has failed to find his best form in recent seasons, Blake is still ranked amongst the finest hard court players on the ATP Tour, with his skill and determination recognised by peers and critics alike.

Blake's latent talent came to the fore in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he scored his first defeat over Roger Federer to reach the semifinals of the tournament.