You can call
James Blake the "Comeback Kid." Two years ago Blake broke his neck and lost his father, also his best friend, to cancer. Now, in 2006, he is back on the court, back in top form and is the number one- ranked American player in the world. His recent win at the
RCA Championships in Indianapolis was his third major victory this year, and served notice that he was ready for his time in the spotlight. The RCA was the first tournament in the U.S. Open Series, leading up to the end-of-summer grand slam in New York. And Blake says he is ready to compete for the title at the
U.S. Open. "I already won the first tournament of [the series] and that means I am playing some pretty good tennis. I feel great right now and very healthy," says Blake.
On a scorching Saturday morning at
Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, he spoke candidly with
AOL Black Voices about the tough regimen it took to survive a broken neck and become the fifth ranked player in the world. He also discussed his RCA victory over the former American No. 1 player, Andy Roddick, and how it feels to finally be on top of his game and getting recognized for it.
"My perspective on tennis has changed," he said, "I put a lot of pressure on myself when I was younger. Many people saw my ability and saw my talent but I wasn't reaching my potential right at the beginning. I didn't know how to react to it and now I am putting a little less pressure on myself. It has given me a much more comfortable feeling on the tennis court."
The new maturity and greater comfort level may have to do with some of his off-court success as well. Blake has just inked an endorsement deal with bottled-water giant,
Evian. In the upcoming ads for the company, Blake will capitalize on his newly minted sex-symbol image fostered by appearances in publications like
People Magazine. The Saturday event was in part a shoot of one of those commercials. And there was a little blush in Blake's stroke that day.
"I think of it is kinda laughable at times because I wore a back brace in high school and I was scared to talk to girls," he said. "It is just pretty funny and I don't have the same confidence as most sex symbols have because I really do think of myself as that high schooler who was self conscious."
Shrugging and laughing, Blake adds, "I get brought down to earth pretty quickly by my family and other players in the locker room."
Most of his off-court time is spent with close friends. Often seen at matches cheering him on, the group is affectionately referred to as the
"J-Block." Blake also takes time out to hang with a tight-knit group of young tennis players, which includes Roddick, Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri.
Blake knows he is living a truly charmed life and is thankful for it.
"I am fortunate that I get to do what I love for a living and have thousands of people cheering," he says. "I realize how few people get that opportunity and how lucky I am now."
