Blake Mott (born 21 April 1996) is an Australian professional tennis player. He competes mainly in the Challenger Tour.[2] He reached his career high singles ranking of World No. 220 in June 2017. He won his first Challenger title in the 2016 Launceston Tennis International and made his Grand Slam debut at the 2017 Australian Open after qualifying.

Blake Mott
Full nameBlake Mott
Country (sports) Australia
ResidenceMelbourne, Australia
Born (1996-04-21) 21 April 1996 (age 28)[1]
Caringbah, Australia[2]
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
PlaysRight-handed (double-handed backhand)[2]
CoachPeter Luczak
Prize money$196,346[1]
Singles
Career record0–2[1]
Career titles0
Highest ranking220 (12 June 2017)
Current ranking495 (26 April 2021)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open1R (2017)
WimbledonQ2 (2017)
US OpenQ1 (2017)
Doubles
Career record0–0[1]
Career titles0
Highest ranking991 (23 May 2016)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open1R (2020)
Last updated on: 1 May 2021.

Career

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2011–2013: Career beginnings

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Mott made his ITF debut in May 2011 in the Sweden F3. He lost in round 1 to Julian Obry. He played around Europe throughout 2011, scoring his first win against Aviv Ben Shabat in August 2011. Throughout 2012, Mott played on the ITF circuit winning two matches. Mott ended 2012 with a ranking of 1563.

In 2013, Mott began making second rounds of the ITF circuit and in July 2013, Mott qualified for his first ATP Challenger Tour main draw in Granby. He lost to Tatsuma Ito in round 1. In October 2013, Mott qualified for the 2013 Melbourne Challenger, winning his first Challenger matches against Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson on the way to the quarter-final where he lost to number 1 seed Matthew Ebden. Mott ended 2013 with a ranking of 653.

2014–2015: First ITF Finals

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In 2014, Mott contested the 2014 Australian Open – Men's singles qualifying, losing to Enrique López Pérez. Mott returned to the Australian ITF circuit and in April, he reached his first final. He lost in straight sets against Alex Bolt. Mott travelled to Asia and attempted to qualify for four Challenger events, qualifying only for the Taipei Challenger;. He lost to Hiroki Moriya in round 1. Mott travelled to Europe and North America and reached his second career final in Canada in August where he lost to Liam Broady. Mott returned to Australia and played a number of ITF to complete the year.

In 2015, Mott was given wild cards in the qualifying rounds of the Brisbane International and Sydney International, but lost in round 1 of both. At the 2015 Australian Open – Men's singles qualifying, Mott defeated Arthur De Greef before losing to Alexander Kudryavtsev. The remainder of 2015 was spent across Australia and Asia on the ITF and Challenger Circuit. Mott ended 2015 with a ranking of 674.

2016: First Challenger Title

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In 2016, Mott commenced the year at the Canberra Challenger, losing to Marcel Granollers in round 1. In February Mott won his first Challenger title at the Launceston Challenger, after qualifying. Mott become the first player outside the world's top 700 to win an ATP Challenger title since Korea's Yong-Kyu Lim in 2010.[3] The win increased Motts ranking 356 places to a career-high ranking of 365.[4] Two weeks later, Mott reached the final of the Australian F1 at Port Pirie, but lost to Christopher O'Connell. Mott travelled to North America and competed on the ITF and Challenger Circuit for 6 months; reaching two ITF semi-finals in Canada. In October, Mott returned to Australia and reached the finals of the Australian F7; losing to Jarmere Jenkins[5] and Christopher O'Connell.[6] These results improved Mott's ranking to within the top 300. Mott ended 2016 with a ranking of 286.

2017: Grand Slam debut and career break

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Mott commenced 2017 with a wild card into the Happy Valley Challenger where he lost in round 1. Mott will make his grand slam debut at the 2017 Australian Open after qualifying. After qualifying, Mott said; "It's amazing stuff. To be playing in my first grand slam in my home country where I grew up playing tennis, watching on TV all those years – this is truly special."[7][8] Mott lost in straight sets to 18th seed Richard Gasquet in round 1.[9] In February, Mott reached his second Challenger Final in Burnie where he lost to compatriot Omar Jasika. In March, Mott travelled to Asia where he qualified for and reached the semi-final of the Keio Challenger, before reaching the final of the Australia F2 final. In May, Mott travelled to Europe where he reached the semi-final of Venice Challenge Save Cup. He lost in the second round at 2017 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles qualifying and first round at 2017 US Open – Men's singles qualifying. This would be Mott's last match in two years as he commenced a career hiatus.[10] Mott ended 2017 with a ranking of 281.

2018–2019: Hiatus and return

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In July 2019, Mott announced he intention to return to the sport in September, after a 2-year hiatus; after rediscovered his passion for the sport.[10] He won an ITF title in his return tournament.[11] In December 2019, Mott broke his wrist while playing in the 2020 Australian Open wildcard playoff.[12]

In January 2021, Mott lost in the first round of 2021 Australian Open – Men's singles qualifying.

ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals

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Singles: 13 (5–8)

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Legend
ATP Challenger (1–1)
ITF Futures (4–7)
Finals by surface
Hard (5–6)
Clay (0–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 Apr 2014 Australia F4, Melbourne Futures Clay   Alex Bolt 3–6, 2–6
Loss 0–2 Aug 2014 Canada F8, Winnipeg Futures Hard   Liam Broady 3–6, 4–6
Win 1–2 Feb 2016 Launceston, Australia Challenger Hard   Andrey Golubev 6–7(4–7), 6–1, 6–2
Loss 1–3 Feb 2016 Australia F1, Port Pirie Futures Hard   Christopher O'Connell 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 2–6
Loss 1–4 Oct 2016 Australia F7, Toowoomba Futures Hard   Jarmere Jenkins 6–7(7–6), 6–7 (7–2)
Loss 1–5 Oct 2016 Australia F8, Cairns Futures Hard   Christopher O'Connell 6–0, 2–6, 4–6
Loss 1–6 Feb 2017 Burnie, Australia Challenger Hard   Omar Jasika 2–6, 2–6
Loss 1–7 Mar 2017 Australia F2, Canberra Futures Clay   Marc Polmans 6–7, 6–3, 4–6
Win 2–7 Sep 2019 M25 Cairns, Australia World Tennis Tour Hard   Vladyslav Orlov 7–5, 6–2
Win 3–7 Sep 2019 M25 Darwin, Australia World Tennis Tour Hard   Calum Puttergill 6–1, 6–4
Loss 3–8 Aug 2023 M25 Jakarta, Indonesia World Tennis Tour Hard   Leo Borg 2–6, 0–6
Win 4–8 Sep 2023 M25 Darwin, Australia World Tennis Tour Hard   Blake Ellis 6–4, 6–1
Win 5–8 Sep 2023 M25 Darwin, Australia World Tennis Tour Hard   Jake Delaney 6–2, 2–6, 6–3

Doubles: 2 (0–2)

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Legend
ATP Challenger (0–0)
ITF Futures (0–2)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (0–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 May 2012 Sweden F2, Båstad Futures Clay   Peter Luczak   Vladimir Ivanov
  Andriej Kapaś
4–6, 7–5, [4–10]
Loss 0–2 May 2012 Czech Republic F3, Jablonec nad Nisou Futures Clay   Peter Luczak   Jaroslav Pospíšil
  Jiří Veselý
5–7, 4–6

Performance timeline

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Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Current through the 2021 Murray River Open.

Singles

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Tournament 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open Q1 Q2 A 1R A A Q2 Q1 0 / 1 0–1 0%
French Open A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Wimbledon A A A Q2 A A NH 0 / 0 0–0  – 
US Open A A A Q1 A A A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Career statistics
Overall win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–2 0%
Year-end ranking 582 674 286 280 514 475 $196,346

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Blake Mott – Overview – ATP World Tour". ATP. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "ITF Tennis – Pro Circuit – Player Profile – MOTT, Blake (AUS)". ITF. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  3. ^ "MOTT BREAKS THROUGH IN LAUNCESTON". Tennis Australia. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  4. ^ "BIGGEST MOVERS: MOTT SOARS AFTER VICTORY". Tennis Australia. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  5. ^ "MOTT TUMBLES IN TOOWOOMBA FINAL". Tennis Australia. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  6. ^ "O'CONNELL TAKES SEESAW FINAL IN CAIRNS". Tennis Australia. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Australian Open 2017: From building site to main draw – the Blake Mott story". The Age. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  8. ^ "BOLT AND MOTT STORM INTO MAIDEN AO DRAW". Tennis Australia. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Australian Open: Richard Gasquet brushes past débutant Blake Mott". Vavel. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  10. ^ a b "BLAKE MOTT EMBARKS ON TENNIS COMEBACK". Tennis Australia. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Mott Claims Title". 22 September 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Emotions Run High as Comeback Kid Mott Top of Aussie Success". Tennis Australia. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
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