James Blake was born in 1979 and grew up playing tennis in New York and Connecticut. He attended Harvard, then left in 1999 to pursue a professional career. ESPN's biography records a difficult interruption in 2004, when he broke his neck during practice and later developed shingles. His return included a tournament victory in New Haven and the ATP Comeback Player of the Year award in 2005.
In 2006, Blake finished the season ranked fourth in the world. The following year, he helped the United States win the Davis Cup, winning both of his matches in the final against Russia. His contribution mattered alongside the other members of the American team.
The USTA Foundation's anniversary account traces his connection to community tennis back to the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program. His father brought Blake and his brother there for lessons when they were young.
After retiring from the professional tour in 2013, Blake served as chair of the foundation's board from 2015 through 2018. Its work supports National Junior Tennis and Learning programs, scholarships and grants. In the anniversary interview, Blake emphasized the value of helping young people contribute to society, whether or not they became professional players.
In September 2015, New York City police mistakenly detained Blake outside a Manhattan hotel, releasing him after an officer recognized the error. In June 2017, he and the city announced a fellowship at the Civilian Complaint Review Board, created to help people navigate the complaint process and enable more complete investigations.
