James Blake set for surprise return to tennis in ITF doubles event
Former world No. 4 James Blake is set for a surprise return to professional tennis next week.
The 43-year-old American, a three-time Grand Slam singles quarter-finalist and former Davis Cup champion, is set to come out of retirement to compete on the ITF World Tennis Tour at M15 Rancho Santa Fe on 29 May – 4 June.
Blake has received a wild card into the doubles event alongside local teenager Hudson Rivera, the current world No. 1063.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Blake. “I haven’t played a tournament in 10 years since I announced my retirement. I don’t have any expectations. The competitive juices are still there, and I’ll go out there and I’m still going to want to win.”
Blake, who has been tournament director of the Miami Open tennis event since 2018, retired from professional tennis at the 2013 US Open.
His best result in doubles was reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2009 when, alongside compatriot Mardy Fish, he fell in a five-set thriller against eventual champions Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic.
He excelled in team competitions, helping USA to win the 2007 Davis Cup title and twice winning the Hopman Cup – alongside Serena Williams in 2003 and Lindsay Davenport in 2004.
Blake’s motivation for participating in next week’s ITF World Tennis Tour event is largely to inspire and support up-and-coming talent – for whom these events provide the spring board for their tennis development.
“I started in Futures events in Florida and Texas and all over,” remembered Blake. “It is such a great tool. For me, I wasn’t sure what that jump from college to the pros was going to be like and so it’s a great bridge, especially for someone who doesn’t have that experience or knowledge about the pro game.
“Once you get the opportunities and the points, they get you the opportunity to play the bigger events, and once you have that there are chances to get wins at those stages. It’s like getting a break point. If you get enough break points, you’re eventually going to break through.”