James Blake

ATP World Tour Player and Best-Selling Author

A renowned tennis player, James Blake regales his audiences with his experiences with overcoming adversity and the value of perseverance.

James Blake’s speaking fee:Under $25,000

James Blake, former world No. 4 tennis player and author, embodies resilience, sportsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

His journey through the professional tennis circuit, marked by thrilling victories and challenging setbacks, including a severe injury and illness, showcases his indomitable spirit and dedication. In his presentations, James shares the mental and physical disciplines that propelled him to the top of the game, offering audiences insights into the mindset of a champion. Beyond his tennis career, James speaks candidly about diversity and inclusion, drawing from his personal experiences to advocate for fairness and equity in sports and society.

His engaging storytelling, combined with lessons learned from overcoming adversity, provides a blueprint for personal and professional growth. Attendees will leave inspired by James's commitment to excellence, his resilience in the face of challenges, and his thoughtful approach to social issues. Booking James Blake guarantees a compelling blend of motivational anecdotes, life lessons, and actionable strategies for success.

James Blake’s Speech Topics

Ways of Grace

Like many people of color, Blake has experienced the effects of racism firsthand-publicly-first at the U.S. Open, and then in front of his hotel on a busy Manhattan street, where he was tackled and handcuffed by a police officer in a case of "mistaken identity." Though rage would have been justified, Blake faced both incidents with dignity and aplomb.

In Ways of Grace he reflects on his experiences and explores those of other sports stars and public figures who have not only overcome adversity, but have used them to unite rather than divide.

Weaving together poignant and unforgettable stories, Blake reveals how, through seemingly small acts of grace, we can confront hatred, bigotry, and injustice with virtue-and use it to propel ourselves to greater heights.

Achievable Goals

While his way back to the tennis court after debilitating injury and illness, Blake learned a paramount lesson – set attainable goals.

In this presentation, Blake talks about the power of goal-setting and how attainable, daily goals boost confidence and enhance your life.

The School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania welcomed James Blake to campus for an engaging discussion on sports and mental health. The meaningful themes James covered were: leaning into your strengths, giving yourself grace, navigating setbacks, and finding what brings you joy. He was excellent!
Universities & Colleges