On-Demand Webinar
General Manager of Player and Coach Development, USTA
Former Professional Tennis Player
Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Alteryx
James Blake is a retired American professional tennis player, known for his exceptional speed and powerful forehand. With 24 singles finals appearances and a career-high ranking of World No. 4, he showcased his talent on numerous prestigious stages. Notable achievements include reaching the finals of the 2006 Tennis Masters Cup, semifinals of the Beijing Olympics, and quarterfinals of the Australian Open and US Open. Blake also contributed significantly to the United States’ 2007 Davis Cup championship, earning the title of Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 and the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year in 2008. His inspiring autobiography, “Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life,” debuted as a bestseller. After retiring in 2013, Blake left a lasting legacy in the world of tennis.
Martin Blackman, with a rich background as a player and coach, has made significant contributions to the world of tennis. From his early days training alongside Andre Agassi and Jim Courier under Nick Bollettieri, to becoming a member of two NCAA Championship teams at Stanford University, Blackman’s passion for the sport has been unwavering. As a coach, he led American University’s Men’s Tennis team to multiple conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. Blackman’s success continued at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC), where he transformed the program into one of the nation’s best junior development centers. He then joined the USTA, establishing a network of 21 regional training centers and camps across the country. After founding his own tennis academy, Blackman later assumed the role of General Manager for USTA Player Development, focusing on nurturing the next generation of American tennis stars.