The Harvard tennis program knew that its life with the Blake brothers would be short lived. The two would dominate the tennis circuit together, often playing on the same doubles team, for one year until it was time for senior Tom to graduate. Freshman James would then continue the Blake legacy in Harvard tennis for three more years.

Nobody expected the one-year Blake brother show to be the family's final act in college.

Yet, that may very well be the case as James will play in several pro tournaments this summer as an amateur. If his venture is successful, he will forgo his college eligibility and join the professional circuit full time.

"I will play this summer, and if I do well enough to earn a contract, than I might turn pro," Blake said. "I think you only have a certain amount of time to play tennis at this level, and companies are looking for younger and younger talent to catch them at their peak."

While no one expected Blake to leave Harvard after one year, very few foresaw the great improvement he made this year.

Blake joined the team in the fall with the full intention of playing all four years at Harvard, but his exceptional play this year led him to consider the pro option.

"Playing pro was not my goal this year," Blake said. "But this year I've grown and I've gained more confidence on the court. I realized that I can play at the level of the top guys."

Blake quickly turned some heads this season as he made the semifinals of the Penn Classic in the fall. At the National Indoor Championships, he eliminated the No.8 seed, Mike Brian, and advanced to the semifinals in doubles with his brother.

It was after that tournament he seriously entertained the notion of turning pro.

"When I beat Mike Brian, a player who I grew up watching, I knew that nothing could stop me if I keep improving."

His superb play has boosted him to the number one ranking in the USTA Boys 18s.

This decision to turn professional had been the center of some controversy. For a while, Blake considered transferring to Stanford, the top-ranked tennis team in the nation.

Instead of moving up the ranking in college, Blake hopes to gradually climb the professional ladder. He will begin at the satellite level for experience and quickly move up to futures level. Blake feels he can accumulate enough tour points to qualify for a major tournament at Washington D.C. and the Pilot Pen tournament.

The dream scenario has Blake entering his first grand slam event, the U.S. Open, in August. Along the way, he will play on the U.S. national team with his brother Tom, with whom he will probably again pair for doubles contests. The top six college players make the national squad.

"I have a pretty solid schedule worked out for the summer," Blake said. "We'll see what happens."