Melbourne VIC, Australia, 12 December 2014 | Australian Tennis Magazine

Each day we’ll be featuring a player who is one to watch throughout the December Showdown and into the Australian summer. Today it’s Blake Mott, who will take his place in the Australian Open Play-off beginning Monday.

Having generally bypassed the junior ranks to develop his game on the ITF Futures circuit since age 15, Blake Mott possesses a world-class backhand and craves professional success. According to insiders, he has all the qualities and attributes to be a professional tennis player.

Mott is verging on the top 500 after Australian Pro Tour success and a run to the Winnipeg Futures final in Canada in August.

He will be among the 16-player field for the men’s Australian Open Play-off, which kicks off at Melbourne Park next week.

> view Blake Mott’s player profile

Read more about Mott and other emerging Aussie talents in the December “Summer Special” of Australian Tennis Magazine.