American James Blake believes the medical and personal catastrophes he suffered in 2004 have given him the strength to win matches such as Monday's Masters Cup victory over world number two Rafael Nadal.
In the space of a few months in 2004, the New Yorker faced a premature end to his career when he broke his neck colliding with a net post, developed shingles and then lost his father to cancer.
"I definitely think I'm stronger from everything that happened to me in 2004," the 26-year-old said after beating Spaniard Nadal 6-4, 7-6.
"I don't think I would have won this match today, I don't think I would have won a lot of matches and I don't think I would be the person I am if all that happened to me didn't happen to me in 2004."
After clambering back up the world rankings over the last couple of years, Blake has won five ATP tournaments in 2006 and qualified as one of the eight best players in the world for the Masters Cup.
"That gives you a very special feeling to know that you're among a pretty elite group of players," he said. "I'm happy to be a part of it."
In addition to the year he missed in 2004, Blake spent two years at Harvard University and he thinks that might enable him to play a little longer than his contemporaries.
"I definitely feel like I'm a late bloomer," said Blake, the second oldest of the players at the season-ending championship.
"I went to college for two years. A lot of these guys turned pro and were playing these kind of pro tournaments when they were 17, 16 years old.
"I was worried about chemistry and physics at that time.
BURNT OUT
"I kind of feel a little younger in tennis years than some of the other guys because ... I lost a whole year in 2004 and I didn't start until late.
"It seems like guys get more burnt out or their bodies give out just from the grind of the travel so I don't feel like I'm as old as my age really says...
"I maybe don't have as many miles or as much wear and tear on my body as some of the other guys."
Blake said he planned to return to Harvard for two more years "when my body gives out" to make his "transition much easier into the real world" and does not regret leaving college to pursue a tennis career.
"This is my job [and] to have fun at your job is pretty rare," he said. "Also, to make whatever I just made today, about $120,000 in a day's work, even for a Harvard grad that's not easy."
