CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In continuing its celebration of Black History Month, Harvard men's tennis is proud to honor former standout student-athlete Tom Blake '98.
 
Blake was a four-year letterwinner with the Crimson from 1995-98. During his collegiate career, Blake left his mark on program history. A three-time All-Ivy League singles and two-time All-Ivy League doubles honoree, Blake became the first African American to be named the men's tennis Ivy League Player of the Year in 1997. He was voted the Ivy League's Senior of the Year in 1998 and was twice named the ITA Region I Northeast Player to Watch in 1995 and 1998. Throughout his career with the Crimson, he earned ITA All-American distinction in singles (1996) and doubles (1997). He is a recipient of the 1998 ITA Van Nostrand Award and the 1998 Regional I ITA/Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. Blake played an instrumental role in the success of his team, which went on to win four Ivy League championships (1994-1998).
 
Post Harvard, Blake went on to become a professional tennis player in 1999. Competing on the ATP Tour and U.S. Open, Blake reached rankings as high as No. 141 in doubles and No. 264 in singles during his professional career. Blake was later inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2013.
 
"Tom had a great collegiate career which earned him a spot in the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame," stated The Scott Mead '77 Head Coach for Harvard Men's Tennis, Andrew Rueb '95. "He was a part of some of the best Crimson teams ever. Most importantly, he is a wonderful friend and a great teammate."