THC: Did you have that hairstyle at Harvard?
JB: In high school, I had braids, and my hair was messed up and crazy. When I came to Harvard, I started wearing a hat, so everyone got to know me in a hat. Then I cut [my hair] all off, and when I took off the hat, people didn’t recognize me. I had to reintroduce myself to everyone. I had my hair short for most of the two years I was at Harvard.
THC: Recently, there’s been a lot of controversy regarding athletic recruiting and academic standards for athletes. There’s been talk of increasing the standards across the Ivy League. How do you feel about that?
JB: Well being an athlete helped me out in getting in. And I had a lot of friends who were athletes, and I didn’t see them having any trouble fitting in. I don’t really see it as a problem. It’s just another thing to set you apart, being an outstanding athlete in high school.
THC: How has your Harvard experience helped you in your career?
JB: It’s helped me a lot in maturing. It helps you make your life structured, because you have to go to practice and class and stuff. Moving away from your family is also an important step. And [Harvard] is a very humbling experience. Everyone there is a big shot. Being able to hit a ball with a racquet doesn’t seem so impressive when guys next door are writing computer programs or novels.
THC: What are your plans for after tennis?
JB: I’d like to go back [to Harvard]. I don’t [know] where in life I’ll be when I retire. I hope to be old and have had a long, successful career. I don’t have a set plan, but one of my first options is to go back to school for two years and finishing my degree [James has no plans on what he would do after he earned his degree].
THC: Do you get to explore the cities where you travel on the tour?
JB: That depends. If you end up getting to see more of the city it means you’re probably not doing too well in the tournament. Generally, if you know a city well it means you haven’t had success there. So hopefully you don’t have as much time to see the city. Sometimes the ATP organizes events and outings for you to see the touristy things. But often, if I’m not doing well, I just want to leave and get ready for the next tournament.
—Staff Writer David A. Weinfeld can be reached at weinfeld@fas.harvard.edu