Blake Ellis: ‘dream come true’ moment with Roger Federer

Find out about Blake Ellis’s ‘dream come true’ moment with Roger Federer

Blake Ellis has leaned on the lessons learned from one of tennis’s greatest ever players to book his place in the semi finals of the Cairns Tennis International.

Ellis showed good form in his 7-6 6-2 win against Zachary Viiala to extend his run in the Australian Pro Tour event in FNQ.

The No. 3 seed harnessed his years of experience and composed temperament to put himself just one win away from the final and a shot at the title.

The 24-year-old who was ranked 129 in the ITF singles last year said he can feel momentum building as he neared the finals.

“As you get older, you get bigger and stronger,” he said.

“I’m quite tall so I focus on my serve, forehand and getting close to the net.

“Players like Tomáš Berdych and Juan Martín del Potro is the game style I try and replicate.”

Blake Ellis competes in his quarter final match of the ITF Cairns International #2 tennis tournament, held at the Cairns International Tennis Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

From a tennis family, Ellis started playing when he was four, and like so many other young players idolised Swiss great Roger Federer.

Unlike many others, he had the chance to hit with Federer a few years ago.

“I grew up with a racquet in my hand ever since I could hold one,” he said.

“When I was young and Wimbledon was on, I remember asking mum if I could stay up late to watch his matches.

“I was lucky enough to hit with Roger a few years ago during the Australian Open which was a dream come true.

“I first agreed to hit with Stan Wawrinka, but got replaced. I was asked twenty minutes later to hit with Federer.

“I thought they can’t be serious and it was the most nervous I’ve been on court.”

Ellis faces Jake Delaney in the semi-final on Saturday, while Blake Mott takes on the top seed Omar Jasika.

MENTALITY BEHIND MOTT’S SURGE

Blake Mott continues his strong form with a victory in the Cairns Tennis International against Kody Pearson to progress to the quarter-finals.

The No. 4 seed battled hard in the opening set to take a 6-3 lead.

He then backed it up in the second and final set, using his experience to overcome his fellow countrymen 6-4 to book a quarter-final spot against Japanese international Kokoro Isomura.

The two met last month in the Darwin Tennis International in a doubles match where 20-year-old Isomura narrowly prevailed with Yamato Sueoka against Mott and Thomas Patton.

Ranked 194 in the ITF singles in 2020, Mott said he’s starting to go on a roll after his potent performance in Darwin.

“I’ve played eight tournaments in the last couple months, going deep in a few tournaments in Asia and Australia,” Mott said.

“I feel like I’m starting to get a lot more games in and getting match tough as they say.

“I’m keeping the momentum going especially after two good weeks in Darwin.”

Blake Mott competes in the ITF Cairns International #2 tennis tournament, held at the Cairns International Tennis Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mott took out the Darwin International Pro Tournament last month after a composed 6-4 6-1 victory over countryman Blake Ellis and backed up his proficient performance with his second title on the trot, defeating Jake Delaney, 6-2 2-6 6-3 in the second Darwin International Pro Tournament.

Mott said he feels confident and comfortable being back home.

“I’ve been doing these tournaments on and off since I was sixteen,” he said.

“Some of them feel familiar which is a good feeling.

“Knowing the places I’m going and how to play on certain courts is an advantage.

“I love being home at this time of year and getting among the local restaurants.”

Blake Mott competes in the ITF Cairns International #2 tennis tournament, held at the Cairns International Tennis Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

There is an essence of calmness when Mott closes out games, capitalising on his ground strokes, backhand and ruthless returns after serve.

“Everyday can be different,” he said.

“When it comes to closing out games, you have to treat every match with absolute respect.

“Everyone is fighting for their own spot and their own win, so you can’t switch off.

“Your focus can shift in and out, lately I’ve been working on bringing my focus back quicker so less errors build overtime.

“As I’ve matured, I understand more about the process (of tennis) and can handle travel, airports and being on the road by myself.

“When I was a younger fella I found that more challenging.”

Mott finds ways to sustain a strong mental fortitude on and off the court.

“It’s about trying to keep the big picture in mind,” Mott said.

“Some days are better than others, there’s ebbs and flows but I try to find details in my game of where I went wrong while replicating what I’m doing well.

“Sometimes you do have to give yourself a break, relax, go to the beach just to enjoy the process and not get caught up in just the results of tennis on the road.”

The 27-year-old will be hoping to book a place in the tournament’s final on Sunday.

Originally published as Blake Ellis: ‘dream come true’ moment with Roger Federer