Breaking back

In 2004, young tennis star James Blake was rising through the international rankings. With a tournament victory and the title of People's Sexiest Male Athlete in 2002, each day seemed to offer a new milestone. But that charmed life came to a shocking halt in May 2004, when Blake fractured his neck in a freak accident on the court. A few months later, his father--the man who had been the inspiration for his tennis career--died of stomach cancer. Shortly after this, Blake contracted zoster, a virus that paralyzed half his face and threatened his career. This book tells of the tumultuous year that followed this convergence of tragedies. Blake examines the mental fears, physical strains and heartbreak as he tried to win his life back from misfortune, offering a reflection on the nature of tragedy and how, with the help of positive thinking, we persevere through it.--From publisher description.