"Breaking Back" by James Blake
As the 2007 U.S. Open approaches, American pro tennis player, James Blake, has already written about the first chapters of his life in an excellent book, "Breaking Back." The impetus to write the book in his mid twenties was the combination of experiences he went through in 2004, i.e., breaking his neck in a freak accident when he slide into a tennis net post, losing his father to cancer and developing the seriously debilitating virus, zoster. As the book illustrates, Blake's outlook on life and tennis have been very strongly
influenced by both his father and his long-time coach, Brian Barker. The goal has never been winning, but simply trying to get better. It is a wonderful life lesson and tennis lesson for everyone. The book provides a glimpse of Blake's circle of close friends, mother and brother Thomas, but in the end it feels most like an ode to his late father. It is definitely worth reading.
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