Greatness is easily talked about, but never quite as easy to achieve.

This season sophomore James Blake dominated college tennis. During the course of the year, Blake won the middle two legs of the NCAA Grand Slam, earning the nation's No. 1 ranking in the process.

His singles' record for the season was 41-4, and since assuming the top spot on December 8, he never relinquished it.

Under the point system used to calculate the rankings, he was, with 40 points, a full 10 points ahead of his nearest competitor, and 20 points better than the No. 3 player.

For reaching heights never before known by any Harvard tennis player, The Crimson has selected James Blake as Male Athlete of the Year.

One for the Ages

As a freshman Blake established himself as a national force, achieving All-America honors.

Despite external pressures and high hopes stemming from his inaugural season, Blake refused to burden himself further with difficult goals.

With that mindset, Blake went in relaxed to the ITA All-American Championships--the second leg of the NCAA Grand Slam--in October. Playing loose, but with great confidence, Blake exceeded all expectations, by powering to the title.

"I went into the tournament just looking to have some fun, and I took a look at my bracket and saw many tough opponents," Blake said. "I just started playing, and before I knew it I was winning all of my tough matches and was still in the tournament."

"I just continued to focus on each match, and came out on top," he added. "I never expected to win a Grand Slam tournament."

Blake and his doubles partner--co-captain Kunj Majmudar--also took the doubles title at the tournament, as Blake's amazing season was underway.

**In December came news of Blake's No. 1 ranking, and along with it extra pressure. The confident sophomore was unfazed, however, as he continued to play with the same attitude.

In February, Blake headed to Dallas for the Rolex National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships--the third leg of the Grand Slam. As the No. 1 seed, Blake withstood stiff challenges to his throne, even saving a match point in the quarterfinals, before finally winning the title.

The championship solidified his top ranking, and also made him a marked man for the rest of the nation.

But as team play began the Crimson could almost always count on him for a win.