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The Re-Emergence of James Blake

You do not hear the phrase “comeback story” associated with most 26-year olds. Yet James Blake, the top-ranked American at a career-high No. 6 in the world, is hardly like most 26-year olds.

For one thing, there are not many Harvard University alumni among the world’s Top 10.

But it is how he came to cement his place among the world’s best that is, perhaps, even more remarkable.

Blake, who triumphed as champion at the US Open Series-opening RCA Championships last week, was an up-and-coming talent still seeking a big breakthrough into the ATP’s upper echelon when disaster struck in 2004.

They say tragedy comes in threes and Blake found this to be all too true, as he broke his neck during an on-court practice session, developed a case of shingles, and lost his father to cancer all in one year.

Showing incredibly strong will and dedication to the sport, Blake returned to the Tour only a year later. And he returned with a vengeance, leaping in the INDESIT ATP rankings from No. 210 to No. 22 in the world by the end of 2005 on the heels of a dramatic run to the quarter-finals of the US Open.

However, Blake is not ready to become complacent and remain content with what he has achieved thus far. He appears to be on a continual rise, refusing to slow down to enjoy a level of self-satisfaction as a result of the seemingly endless, uncompromising competitive spirit he possesses which made his comeback possible.

That determination shone through during the RCA Championships, as he came back from behind to defeat compatriot Andy Roddick 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) and clinch the title at the US Open Series event.

This year, the ATP’s 2005 Comeback Player of the Year has collected three wins on Tour, the Medibank International, the Tennis Channel Open and the Championships, and has reached the final of two other events, the Pacific Life Open and the Stella Artois Championships.

And yet, Blake seems destined to scale to even greater heights. After all, he’s only 26 years old.

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