After beating Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6 in the quarter finals of the men’s competition at the Beijing Olympics, James Blake reached a new plateau in his up-and-down career. As he will readily admit he doesn’t always play his best in the ‘big’ matches, and its this inconsistency that has prevented him from winning a Grand Slam title. He has the talent to beat any of the top ten players on any given day, and has in fact beaten most of them, but beating them back to back to back in a Major tournament has not happened. The upcoming 2009 Australian Open might be Jame’s opportunity. He has played well in Melbourne and reached the quarter final in 2008, only to lose to Federer. He has 10 career titles to his credit, and all of them have come on hard courts. The hard courts at Rod Laver arena are perfect for his game, not as fast as those at the US Open, but similar in speed to Indian Wells or Dubai. His Australian Open record is 17-7, so it is apparent that he like the courts and the temperature. Blake has been ranked as high as number 4, but has slipped down to number 10. If there is a case to made for an upset, then James Blake has to be considered. If one of the top four players plays poorly or is injured, or does not compete, then Blake could improve his 2008 finish and make it to the final.

James is the kind of player that everybody likes, the kind of person you could sit down with and enjoy a few beers. Maybe that’s why he does well in Australia, it’s the Fosters! He is quite an avid poker player and has appeared in the Celebrity Poker Showdown, he didn’t win however. A popular sports figure, he has been featured on the cover of many magazines, and selected as one of the ‘Sexiest men in America‘. When asked about his shaved head he replied that it is easy to maintain, and is a constant reminder of his idol Michael Jordan, who he says is the most exciting man he’s ever had the privilege to meet. Blake was born in December 1979, making him 30 when he competes in the Australian Open. His speed around the court has not declined and his power on his forehand and on his service have both increased. This could be his final year as a competitive player and he would really like to fulfil his dream of winning a major title. Don’t count him out!

He has defied the odds many times before in his life. He was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 13, and forced to wear a back brace all through his years at high school. Becoming any kind of athlete was deemed impossible, let alone being a professional tennis player, and Jame’s inner strength is another aspect of his game that might finally bring him to the top of his profession. His best selling book, Breaking Back is a testament to his personal strength, and to the love he shares with his family.