One “Ace” of an Agent

I recently had the opportunity to throw a few questions at American tennis superstar James Blake.  Fortunately for me, and all of you, I received some genuine responses from the 11^th ranked player in the world.

A lot of people, including myself, are intrigued by the agent’s role in dealing with professional athletes.  However, most know very little when it comes to the wonderful, yet under-appreciated sport of tennis.  While there are numerous, similar obligations that agents must carry out in order to keep their clients happy, tennis agency is a very different game than that of football, baseball, or basketball.  Due to the individuality of the sport, there are no team contract negotiations, no combine preparation services, and definitely no draft days.  Because there are no “team” contracts in tennis, endorsements become HUGE, especially for those not-so-high-end players.  One strategy that most tennis agencies will highly advocate is that of marketing the player.  If the player isn’t at peak performance and not satisfied with his earnings, the agency can really supplement this by being able to successfully market their client.

So, for those of you who are trying to get a feel for agency in the tennis world, without further adieu, American tennis stud, James Blake.

James, I appreciate you taking the time to answer a few very key questions that will clarify a lot of confusion in the minds of many.

Q. First off, in terms of picking and choosing an agent, which factors weigh most heavily on your decision?

James: In terms of picking my agent, I had to factor in who seemed the most genuine.  It also mattered what company they were affiliated with.  Certain companies have more or less to offer in the world of tennis.  I believe that when I came to conclusions and made my decision, I had found an agent that worked hard for me and worked hard in a very honest way.

Q. What do agents, or agencies, focus on while representing tennis players (endorsements, personal relationships, etc.)?

James: I think agents focus mostly on endorsement deals and opportunities financially for their clients.  But as well as financially, they help them with their image and making sure they are represented in the media and on the court the way they should be.

Q. What type of role does your agent take on during a tournament, grand slam in particular?

James: During a tournament, my agent usually has many meetings.  He isn’t necessarily tending to a lot of my needs during a grand slam.  At that point, he has the opportunity with a lot of manufacturers and tournament directors to negotiate deals for me.  For the grand slams, and most major tournaments, the tournament staff can handle my everyday needs.  We usually just catch up on all that has taken place during the slam at the end of it.

Q. Would you consider the relationship between you and your agent mostly business related or on a more personal level?

James: My agent and I have a relationship that is personal above all else.  I feel that it is somewhat unique, in this day and age, to have an agent that is also a true friend.  I think that is a rare find in this business.  We usually talk about personal things before we even get into business every time we talk.

Hopefully, these responses by James Blake will provide aspiring tennis agents some insight as to what professional tennis players are seeking in an agent and agency.  Being an aspiring agent myself, the experience of interacting with someone of this caliber and taking in all of his words is something I will appreciate and hang on to forever.