A revitalized Blake, as always, found success at home. He made back-to-back U.S. Open quarterfinals in 2005 and 2006, rising to No. 4 in the world by the end of 2006. The former Davis Cup hitting partner was the world’s top-ranked American, a skeletal frame belying his power game.

“When he was on, when he was hot and in the zone, he could absolutely beat anybody in the world,” Isner said. “He just crushed the ball and it would somehow find the court. For being not such a big guy, he could hit the crap out of the ball.”

Blake’s signature shot was his screaming forehand, but he quickly earned praise for other parts of his game. The 25-year-old quickly developed a reputation as one of the best returners in tennis.

“If his opponent hit a very big serve to his forehand, or his opponent hit a big forehand to his, he used pace,” Isner said. “He could return a serve harder than his opponent hit the actual serve.”

On the Tour, Blake found joy once again in its only team competition—the Davis Cup. In 2007, the team of Blake, Roddick, and the Bryan brothers defeated Russia to win the title for the first time since 1995.

“[That was] the most special moment of my career,” Blake said. “We had so many great and tough times together. To finally win it and have all of us contribute was an amazing feeling. We have so few opportunities to play as a team and that one was the pinnacle for us.”

Competing for the United States brought out some of Blake’s best tennis. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Blake upset top-seeded Roger Federer in straight sets to reach the medal rounds. But Blake failed to reach the podium, losing to the Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals and to Novak Djokovic in the bronze medal match.

“Playing for your country is different because you feel such a sense of pride and duty,” Blake said. “[You are] so proud to wear USA on your chest, but also aware of all the great players that have worn it before and what they accomplished.”

THE END

After success in 2008, age and injuries began taking their toll on Blake’s body, and the American would never crack the top 10 following the 2009 Australian Open. At a time when the average top 10 player was less than 24 years old, the 29-year old’s body left him on the outside looking in.

As his body wore down, Blake began to consider ending his career.

“I knew my body couldn’t handle the type of training I used to be capable of,” Blake said. “So that would reflect in my results being less than what I thought I could do. When that became apparent to me and that I couldn’t improve the way I used to, I thought it was time to stop.”

Entering the 2013 U.S. Open, the 33-year old had struggled to find his previous form. He had failed to qualify for the Australian Open and had won only one major singles match all year.

Before the tournament started, Blake made clear it would be his last. His brother cited the relentless grind of the Tour—unlike other sports, tennis has no offseason—as the main factor pushing him to consider retirement.

“It isn’t like other professional sports in that you are playing 11 months out of the year, and that month off, you have your charity events and are still traveling,” Thomas said. “He had been doing that for 15 years, and you get worn out. At that level, if you cannot give it your all then the guys at that level are just too good, regardless of how you are hitting the ball.”