James Blake Joins Athlete Ally

Written by: Staff on 29th May 2013

James Blake Joins Athlete Ally

epa03594685 James Blake of the US hits a return shot to Jack Sock of the US in their second round match in the US National Indoor Tennis Championships at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, 21 February 2013. EPA/TANNEN MAURY |

James Blake has become the third American tennis player to join Athlete Ally as an Ambassador. Blake, a popular star on the ATP tour, joins Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish as a vocal supporter of the movement to end homophobia in sports.

Blake learned about Athlete Ally after Fish reached out to engage him in the cause. This kind of connectivity exemplifies the momentum and the peer-to-peer model of the Athlete Ally Ambassador program.

“We are seeing athletes across all sports take a stand and get their friends and teammates involved because when you love the game you play, you respect it. Joining our movement is a way for true sportsmen to demonstrate their commitment to fair play,” said Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally Hudson Taylor. “James Blake has made the United States proud over the years both on the court and off of it and we are confident that his allyship will, in turn, embolden more allies to speak out as well.”

Blake said, “I am proud to be affiliated with Athlete Ally because they do exceptional work that can actually make a difference in the sports world and beyond. Inclusion doesn’t have to be a political issue, but more a human issue. As a mixed background person, I have been told I could be hated by both sides. I have always tried to look at it the opposite way as a positive that I could be accepted and included. I am extremely lucky and feel that everyone should have the feeling of acceptance.”

He started a research foundation in support of early cancer detection called The James Blake Foundation.

Blake will act as a liaison between Athlete Ally and the ATP. He will help promote Athlete Ally’s mission to end homophobia in sports by speaking out to his peers, sport and fan base, and encouraging his colleagues to join in the effort.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: American tennis news, Andy Roddick, Athlete Ally, Atp, Blake, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Tennis foundations, The James Blake Foundation