Former tennis star James Blake said that he was a victim of excessive police force on Wednesday when officers mistook him for a theft suspect.
The New York Daily News reported that Blake was outside a Manhattan hotel and getting ready to go to the U.S. Open where he had a scheduled appearance when he was rushed by plainclothes officers.
Blake, who is African American, said four white officers body slammed him onto the ground and screamed at him not to say a word. He then said he was handcuffed and never told why. It was only after a retired NYPD officer recognized the Harvard-educated athlete that he was released. The man he was mistaken for was nearby and later arrested.
Blake suffered a cut to his elbow and bruising on his leg.
“It was definitely scary and definitely crazy,” he said. “In my mind there’s probably a race factor involved, but no matter what there’s no reason for anybody to do that to anybody.”
He added, "To me it's as simple as unnecessary police force, no matter what my race is.”
One officer involved has been placed on modified duty pending an internal affairs investigation.
Sky News noted that Blake last played two years ago in the U.S. Open, but lost in the first round. The Yonkers native has a singles career record of 366–256 and in 2006, was ranked as high as No. 4 in the world.
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