FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Before returning to the stage at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, James Blake spoke with Fairfield University student-athletes during an informal Q&A session. The opportunity, which took place on January 30, 2017, served as an outlet for students to ask questions pertaining to athletics, academics, and life after college.
“Find a way to do something each day to make yourself better. Learn a new craft, do your research, talk to industry professionals” shared Blake, a former Harvard University tennis standout. Blake also emphasized the importance of academics, work ethic, and the significance of ones’ social circles: “one of the best things is having genuine friends. I grew up with good people. I have friends who were not only tennis players, but golfers, basketball plyers, or had interests outside of athletics. My friends were all happy for me when I became successful and still treated me the same. Having them was even more valuable when I wasn’t having success. I was lucky enough that when my ranking dropped, my friends would pick me up, take me out to dinner and help me get through that phase. They would never let me get cocky. Also having a brother three years older than me was also a good way to keep me humble.”
James Blake inspired the world during an epic tennis career that featured 10 singles titles, a Davis Cup Championship, and a New York Times Best Seller for his Memoir, Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life – realized, however, that other young men of color might not be treated with equal justice. Blake turned pro in 1999 while he was the #1 collegiate player at Harvard University. In 2004, James overcame a potential career ending injury and a case of the shingles that left his face paralyzed and blurred his vision. Just one year later, Blake climbed from outside of the top 200 in the ATP rankings to his career highest ranking in #4. After an amazing 14 year career, Blake retired from professional tennis at the 2013 US Open.
For photos from the event, click here. For more information about the Friends of Fairfield Athletics, email Jhanay Harris at jharris@fairfield.edu.
