Lasers draft tennis star James Blake

An American tennis star is coming out of retirement to play for the Springfield Lasers.

The team drafted James Blake, 34, yesterday during the Mylan World TeamTennis 2014 Marquee Player Draft, according to a news release.

Blake - who reached a career-high Association of Tennis Professionals ranking of No. 4 in 2006, placing him behind only Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko - announced his retirement in August after losing in the U.S. Open to Ivo Karlovic, according to the New York Daily News.

On the Lasers, Blake succeeds Texas-based Andy Roddick, who left the team in November to join the Austin Aces World TeamTennis franchise in his hometown of Austin. Roddick plans a return trip to Springfield with his new team during the upcoming season, the release said.

“It’s exciting to have two American tennis legends coming to Springfield for this year’s Lasers season. We welcome James Blake as the newest member to our Springfield Lasers team, and bringing Andy Roddick back to town will be a real treat for our fans," Lasers founder John Cooper said in the release.

Blake, acquired by the Lasers in a predraft trade with the Boston Lobsters, will play two home matches in Springfield during the World TeamTennis season that runs July 6-27. Match dates will be announced in March.

Known for his powerful forehand and speed on the court, Blake also made a comeback after breaking his neck in May 2004, when he tripped and fell into a metal net post.

The Lasers were the Western Conference Champions during the 2013 season, the release said.