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BIOGRAPHY

James Blake
	BIOGRAPHY | GALLERY | GOSSIP

James Riley Blake, born December 28, 1979 in Yonkers, New York, is an American tennis player.

Blake was born in Yonkers, New York, United States to African-American father Thomas Sr. and White British mother Betty. He has a brother, Thomas Jr., who is also a professional tennis player, and three older half-brothers, Jason, Christopher and Howard, and a half-sister, Michelle.

Blake started playing tennis at age 5 alongside his brother Thomas. When 13, he was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and for five years as a teenager, he had to wear a full-length back brace for 18 hours a day, though not while playing tennis. Blake attended Fairfield Warde High School, in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Blake was inspired to pursue tennis after hearing his role model, Arthur Ashe, speak to the Harlem Junior Tennis Program. Brian Barker was his first (and current) coach. He dropped out of Harvard University after his sophomore (second) year to pursue a career in tennis.

James Blake was named Rookie of the Year for the 2000 World Team Tennis season. At age 21, Blake saw his first Davis Cup action in 2001 against India and became the third man with African-American heritage to play the Davis Cup for the United States. Blake won the 2002 USTA Waikola Challenger in Hawaii. He has also twice won the Hopman Cup (with Serena Williams & Lindsay Davenport).

2007 prepared a great start for Blake, who collected his first title of the year at the Sydney International for second consecutive time, beating Carlos Moya 6-3 7-5 6-1. Blake is hopeful to enter the United States team for the 2008 Summer Olympics that will be held in Beijing, China.

Away from tennis, Blake also enjoys golf, basketball, playing the guitar and baseball. He is a big fan of the New York Mets. He has also appeared in People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue.