Memphis, TN -- As one of only 10 cities in the world to be awarded the ATP World Tour’s prestigious “500” status in 2009, Memphis is already receiving major player commitments earlier than usual - and James Blake is one of the first to commit.

Blake, who reached his first ATP final in Memphis in 2002, finished a career-high No. 4 in 2006. Last year he helped lead the U.S. to its first Davis Cup title in 12 years. In this year's Beijing Olympics, he defeated World No. 1 Roger Federer before losing to Novak Djokovic in the bronze medal match. Perhaps there’s no greater fan of the game than James himself, and the audience returns the “love”. As he said about the tennis crowd, “It was fun, they were having a great time, and that’s what we’re here for, we’re just entertainers. I’m glad to have fun, and those things, those moments when I’m standing there and we can’t even play because the crowd is still cheering, those are the moments that give me goosebumps and make me so appreciative of what I do for a living. It makes me want to do this forever.”

We hope you do, James. We hope you do.

2008 in Review

Sunday: Darcis Captures Second ATP Title

Saturday: Soderling, Darcis Reach Championship

Friday: Soderling Gets Past Roddick

Thursday: Bjorkman Edges Querrey

Wednesday: Becker Upsets Haas; Roddick Wins

Tuesday: Stepanek, Querrey, Johansson Reach 2nd Rd.

Monday: Haas, Melzer Advance on Opening Day