Media

from Jet magazine

Harvard's James Blake Is Top-Ranked Player In College Tennis

May 24, 1999

James Blake feels pretty good about himself these days. And he should. A Harvard sophomore, the 19-year-old is the king of college tennis.

Since December, Blake has been ranked No. 1, the first Harvard player to hold that distinction. Last year he became the first Harvard freshman named an All-American.

And with his performances, including some pro event victories, it seems he will attain many more tennis accolades. Currently, no Blacks rank in the top 200 on the men's ATP Tour, but several sports firms believe he will be one of the sport's top stars. The firm IMG's representative Gavin Forbes called Blake "one of the most promising young Americans coming along."

This summer the Fairfield, CT, native will decide if he will turn pro. And being the grounded young man that he is, he will not make that decision alone. "I'll talk with my parents, my coach and my brother, people whose decisions I really trust," he says.

Blake's parents, Thomas and Betty, were avid tennis players and introduced the game to James and older brother Thomas when they were toddlers. The siblings teamed up during Thomas' senior year last season and were Harvard's No. 1 doubles team.

If he does turn pro, being a Black star in predominately White tennis will be significant for Blake. And as the spotlight shines on him, he will use it to draw others in. And he won't even avoid the title of role model.

"Hopefully kids will look up to me as a role model. If I'm ever in that situation, I want to put forth the best image possible. I would really like to get grassroots programs growing and more minorities into tennis. It's opened so many doors for me; I would love to have it open doors for others."

Blake adds that he really admires tennis-star sisters Venus and Serena Williams. "I think it's amazing what they've done for a young age."

Indeed the future looks bright for Blake. But even with the pressures of retaining his No. 1-ranking and pro scouts talking him up, the economics major who scored 1,350 out of 1,600 on his SATs is just enjoying being a Harvard student athlete and focusing on taking the NCAA singles championship.

The attention, he says confidently, is not boosting his ego. "I try to take it in stride. It's not going to affect the person I am."