Overview

In 2004, James Blake's life was getting more perfect by the day. A rising tennis star, with each passing year his game seemed to improve. In 2002, he was named Sexiest Male Athlete by People, and along the way he continued to gain in the rankings and earn respect on the court. Each day seemed to offer a new milestone, a new achievement; he was leading a charmed life and loving every minute of the ride. But that life came to an abrupt halt in May 2004 when Blake broke his back in a freak accident on the court. A few months later, as Blake was recovering from his injury, he suffered another tremendous setback when his father-the man who had raised him and provided the inspiration for his tennis career-lost his battle with stomach cancer. Shortly after his father's death, Blake's situation was further complicated when he contracted Zoster, a rare virus that paralyzed half of his face and threatened to end his already jeopardized tennis career. Breaking Back tells the story of the tumultous year that followed these three devastating events, detailing how Blake persevered through hardship to become one of the best tennis players in the world. Here Blake explains how the wisdom and words that his father imparted to him over the years gave him the ability to succeed in the face of these seemingly insurmountable odds. Though these trials proved the most difficult of his life, ultimately this trifecta of tragedy became the culmination of all his father's lessons, showing Blake that even in death, his father was still teaching him how to be a man. In the spirit of Lance Armstrong's It's Not About the Bike and Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking comes this remarkable tale of strength and determination from one of tennis's biggest stars. A story of passion, willpower, and the unbreakable bonds between a father and a son, Breaking Back is one athlete's account of finding hope in the bleakest of times.

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9780061343490

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[James Blake] has inspired young people everywhere with his story of courage and determination. -- -former president George H.W. Bush

Blake is a champion-in every sense of the word. -- Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue Blake is a champion in every sense of the word. --Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue Through Blake s commitment and passion, he tells the story of the life lessons he learned while facing difficult personal challenges. -- Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, wife of the late Arthur Ashe I ve known James since early childhood...James s rise to international success is as stunning as it was predictable. --John Mayer [James Blake] has inspired young people everywhere with his story of courage and determination. -- former president George H.W. Bush The grace and dignity that James has shown during some very difficult times has been a source of great inspiration. --Andre Agassi The grace and dignity that James has shown during some very difficult times has been a source of great inspiration. --Andre Agassi [James Blake] has inspired young people everywhere with his story of courage and determination. ----former president George H.W. Bush Blake is a champion--in every sense of the word. --Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue I've known James since early childhood...James's rise to international success is as stunning as it was predictable. --John Mayer Through Blake's commitment and passion, he tells the story of the life lessons he learned while facing difficult personal challenges. ----Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, wife of the late Arthur Ashe

Author Information

James Blake has been a professional tennis player since 1999, when he left Harvard after his sophmore year to join the pro tennis circuit. In May 2004, he broke his back while practicing in Europe, forcing him to undergo a rigorous year of rehabilitation. Since his injury, he has experienced more on the court success than ever before and he now finds himself one of the highest-ranking tennis players in the world.

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