Baker Triumphs at Mardy Fish Tennis Championships

VERO BEACH – Blu Baker has had remarkable success in the weekly Battle of Boca UTR cash tournaments, amassing an impressive tally of 13 titles.

UK Rivalry

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Vero Beach Tennis and Fitness Club, Baker faced off in another Battle of Boca against seventh-seeded Will Grant. Both athletes hail from the United Kingdom but have established their careers in the tennis-rich locale of Boca Raton.

Playing for Points

This final was part of the 30th Mardy Fish Children’s Tennis Championships, an ITF-USTA $15,000 Pro Circuit event. Unlike previous tournaments focused solely on cash, both players were contending for valuable ATP ranking points (10 for the winner and 6 for the loser).

Support for At-Risk Children

All proceeds from the tournament are directed towards benefiting at-risk children in Indian River County, providing them with essential after-school care and healthy summer activities.

Baker’s Comeback

At 23, Baker excelled against Grant’s powerful serves and forehands, utilizing his adept defense reminiscent of Novak Djokovic and sharp forehands to secure a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory—marking his second career ITF pro title and first since September 2022, also in Boca Raton. Baker faced a challenging 2024, overcoming elbow surgery, a ruptured eardrum, and mononucleosis.

Future Aspirations

Proudly expressing his determination, Baker stated, “I just try to fight until the end. This is my dream come true.” With supportive family members, including his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend, in attendance, he reflected on his journey and future aspirations in tennis.

Match Highlights

For Grant, 24, the match was bittersweet as he aimed to secure his first title after a series of near misses in finals. Despite leading early on, he was unable to maintain his advantage against Baker’s consistency. After facing a break point during the match’s conclusion, Baker sealed his victory with a powerful forehand winner, earning him the $2,175 prize and a spot on the Mike Frahaley Memorial Trophy.