Perseverance, skill and a dream to win the US Open, maybe throw in winning against Roger Federer, keep the world’s ninth ranked James Blake on the court.

Blake’s interest in the game originated from watching his parents play. Along with his idol Arthur Ashe, he admired the play of Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg, but going pro was not a reality until his sophomore year at Harvard. “I always wanted to play tennis professionally, but I was realistic in knowing that it is not likely for anyone to expect that as a career,” said Blake.

Growing up in Fairfield, Conn., tennis was always part of the Blake household, in fact his parents met playing, but caution raised a flag in Blake’s game when at 13 he was diagnosed with scoliosis. Treated at Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Mass., Blake was prescribed a back brace to wear 18 hours a day. “It was at the time I was growing very quickly, but it didn’t affect my game much since I didn’t have much pain associated with it,” said Blake. “It did make me appreciate and use that time wisely.”

After winning a Futures Tournament, the economics major decided to go pro. At the 1999 US Open he lost to his first major opponent, Chris Woodruff, in straight sets and Blake decided a move to a warmer climate was in order to focus on his game. The New Englander turned Tampa resident has been practicing at Saddlebrook ever since. “I felt Saddlebrook was the best fit for me,” said Blake. “I hit with Courier a few times earlier in my career and I played in his event once here in Tampa too.” Still affiliated with Shriners, Blake visits the Tampa location whenever he has the opportunity and has donated $100 for every match he wins for the last four years.

Metro: Other than Shriners, what charities are you involved in?

Blake: I always do an event for the Harlem Junior Tennis Program, AnthemLIVE! in Virginia for cancer research and I’ve participated in events for Mark Knowles, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and many others.

M: What’s a favorite place you’ve been on tour, or vacation?

B: Melbourne, Austrialia. When I vacation, my favorite place to be is home. I travel enough throughout the year.

M: Do you have a favorite restaurant, place to shop or grab a drink in the Bay area?

B: Restaurant is probably Cicco & Tony’s, place to shop is International Plaza, and for a drink I would say Tampa Ale House because it’s closest to my house.

M: What type of music do you listen to before a match?

B: On my iPOD, I have a lot of hip-hop. I love the lyrics and it definitely gets me psyched up before a match.

M: What three items must you have in your bag on the court?

B: Tourna grip, an extra shirt or two and my headband.

M: What’s been the most challenging match?

B: The most challenging matches I have played have probably all been against Federer.

M: In the off-season (which I understand in tennis is rare) where is the most likely place to find you?

B: On the golf course.

M: Is college something you’d ever go back to?

B: I’d like to finish when I’m done with my career, but I think I would change my major to sociology or African American studies. I’m much more interested in those than in economics.

M: When fatigue sets in during a match, what helps you continue playing?

B: When it’s the end of a match and I’m tired, I just tell myself that I’ve worked too hard to give up, and I push myself to get to the end.