Tennis: Ready for recovery

American James Blake, determined to put a horror year behind him, has been given the final wildcard into the Auckland international men's tournament next month.

Blake, who turns 25 next Tuesday, was No 22 in the world rankings 18 months ago.

But the African-American, almost as well known for his modelling assignments as his tennis, has had a bad trot this year.

He played only 13 singles tournaments, the Australian Open was his only Grand Slam event, and he steadily slipped down the ATP pecking order.

That was in large part down to injury.

In May he fractured vertebrae in his neck when he slipped and slammed into a net post in practice. That sidelined him for two months.

He then picked up a disease which affected his hearing and temporarily paralysed one side of his face.

The second half of his year was virtually a non-event, as he played only two tournaments since July.

On the plus side, he was the United States' No 1 ranked collegiate player, has been a frequent member of the US Davis Cup team, has had wins over many of the world's best and is among the most popular Americans on the circuit.

"James is an exciting player and will certainly add interest to what is already a great Open field," tournament director Graham Pearce said.

Blake overcame severe curvature of the spine in his early teens, spending 18 hours a day in a brace at one point.

His solitary ATP Tour singles win came at Washington in 2002 when he beat Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan in three sets.

He has been a beaten finalist three times, and has picked up five doubles titles.

The eight seeded players at the Open are among the world's top 31 players.

But they will be eyeing Blake, Dutchman Sjeng Schalken - one of three past champions in the field after his 1999 win - and dazzling Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal, who toppled Andy Roddick to help set up the Davis Cup final triumph in Seville this month, as the dangerous floaters in the field.

The other two wildcards into the field of 32 will be the best New Zealanders from the six-person round robin tournament at the Remuera courts, starting on Monday.

The field consists of 23 direct entries, four qualifiers, three wildcards and two special exemptions - wich are still to be announced.