Boston Lobsters CEO Bahar Uttam can sum up the franchise's drafting of James Blake for the 2010 World Team Tennis Pro League in one word.
"Huge," Uttam said.
"He's one of the top American players and has been for many years. More than any other team, we can do well out of him because he is a Harvard boy and a New Englander."
The World Team Tennis Pro League was designed to bring the best professional tennis talent together in a co-ed team format. The league, which will be celebrating its 35th year beginning this July, features legends of tennis, current tour players and future stars. The Lobsters call the Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton home.
Uttam expects the addition of Blake (who also played for the Lobsters in 2005) to be an excellent draw for local tennis fans.
"People don't have much of a chance to see (Blake) because the closest he comes is the Pilot Pen Tournament in Connecticut," Uttam said. "People from the North Shore will find it much easier to come to Middleton to see James play — and it's a very intimate setting. You get up front, and up close and personal with the players."
Blake, a New York native who attended Harvard University for two years before turning pro, reached as high as No. 4 in the world and won 10 singles and five doubles titles during his career. He was named the 2005 ATP Comeback Player of the Year.
His versatility is expected to boost the play of the Lobsters.
"He plays singles and doubles and both are very important matches we have to play. I love the aspect that he can be used that way (in either singles or doubles)," Uttam said. "I think from a tennis point of view that's what he brings.
"Obviously I see him winning matches for us and getting us back in the playoffs."
