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Mardy Fish Children's Foundation

Wild Card

J.J. Wolf: From Vero Beach To U.S. Open Main Draw In 14 Weeks

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Just 14 weeks after competing at the $15,000 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships in Vero Beach, Florida, J.J. Wolf has earned a main-draw wild card into the 2026 U.S. Open by winning the USTA’s U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge.

The former world No. 39 officially clinched the U.S. Open wild card by winning the most amount of ATP points over the post-Wimbledon period among players not directly accepted into the tournament. His best result was winning the Challenger title in Vancouver, Canada, as documented here https://worldtennismagazine.com/jj-wolf-comeback-continues-on-track-with-vancouver-challenger-title/

It is an extraordinary turnaround for a player who was once ranked inside the ATP Top 40 but was forced off the tour for a year with a severe shoulder injury. And Vero Beach was one of the stops during his comeback attempt to the upper levels of pro tennis.

Wolf, then ranked No. 947 in the ATP Tour rankings, was the headline player at the Sea Oaks Beach & Tennis Club last May and he dazzled fans with his powerful groundstrokes and booming serve. He advanced into the tournament’s quarterfinals with wins over Raphael Perot and Jordan Lee, (who went on to win the Wimbledon junior boys singles title in July.) In a quarterfinal evening match in front of an overflowing crowd at Sea Oaks, Wolf dominated Joaquim Almeida before the Brazilian found a rhythm and saved two match points before winning a second-set tiebreaker. Feeling pain in his troubled shoulder, Wolf retired from the match after just one game in the third set. Almeida went on to claim a miracle tournament title win two matches later, which you can re-live here: https://youtu.be/CAC5RuILkn4?si=GhnDthz54MdfBHCO

Wolf talked about his comeback after his first-round post-match interview at Sea Oaks here: https://youtu.be/aQMR5A8zRvo?si=HEoN4ijf08DUCyI6

A discussion on his track from injury to the U.S. Open is further explained here https://youtu.be/0Kq2itOdAbY?si=AszZQVjSVJWNos2H

From the courts of a $15,000 tournament in Vero Beach to the main draw at Arthur Ashe Stadium, J.J. Wolf’s journey is a powerful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in professional tennis. And perhaps most remarkably, the comeback that began on the smaller stages of the sport has now earned Wolf a ticket back to one of tennis’ biggest stages.

Aspiring ATP Tennis Pros To Return To Sea Oaks For Mardy Fish “Wild Card” Event February 26-28, 2025

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The annual Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation “Wild Card” Tournament is set to return to the picturesque Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club in Vero Beach, Florida, from February 26-28, 2025. Known for blending competitive tennis with an intimate seaside setting, this unique event serves as a gateway for aspiring professional players seeking a coveted spot in the USTA Pro Circuit’s Vero Beach Futures tournament.

Named after Vero Beach native and former world No. 7 Mardy Fish, this tournament has become a celebrated fixture on the local sports calendar. This year’s tournament promises to showcase an impressive mix of talent, from rising stars to seasoned journeymen and aspiring Vero Beach locals, all vying for the wild card entry and to experience the fierce competition at such a beautiful setting.

The stakes are high at the event as the winner of the tournament earns a main draw singles wild card into the 2025 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships $15,000 USTA Pro Circuit ITF World Tennis Tour event that will be held April 21-27 at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club at the Timber Ridge community. The singles runner-up earns a spot in the tournament’s qualifying tournament.

To enter the tournament, go to the Universal Tennis website here: https://app.utrsports.net/events/275522?_ref=randyw456&shared=true

The event has been tagged “The Greatest Wild Card Tournament In The World” as you can watch in this video here: https://youtu.be/Pmb49avrsQQ?si=3MD1AYNYm3eliEDi

In 2024, Mitchell Lee of Oakland, Calif., won the tournament to earn the main draw wild card – where he earned his first career ATP singles (and doubles) ranking points. Lachlan Gaskell of Iowa, the reigning USTA National Boy’s 16s Champion, was the singles runner-up and earned the qualifying wild card. Matthew Segura, the great nephew of Hall of Famer Pancho Segura, is a four-time champion at the event at Sea Oaks, winning the first three editions of the tournament there in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and again in 2023.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sea Oaks courts are known for their challenging clay surfaces, which reward patience and strategy. Fans can expect thrilling matches and dramatic moments, as players battle for every point in front of an engaged and supportive crowd. The community spirit of Sea Oaks, combined with the prestige of the Mardy Fish name, ensures a memorable weekend for both players and spectators.

Will a new face rise to claim the wild card, or will a returning competitor build on past experience to secure victory? All eyes will be on Sea Oaks this February, as the 2025 Mardy Fish Wild Card Tournament sets the tone for another exciting year of tennis in Vero Beach.

“A Fun Community Event” – Mardy Fish “Wild Card” Doubles To Be Played At Timber Ridge

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A variety of local Vero Beach residents as well as players aspiring to play on the ATP Tour will compete in the “Wild Card” doubles tournament for the $15,000 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships USTA Pro Circuit event.

The winner of the two-day tournament, held Friday and Saturday at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club at Timber Ridge, will receive a main draw doubles entry into this professional ITF World Tennis Tour event also held at Timber Ridge April 22-28 and have the opportunity to compete against ATP-ranked professionals and the chance to earn prize money and ATP ranking points.

“This has turned into a fun community event with many locals putting their hats in the ring for some great competition against some very talented players aspiring to get their chance to play in a pro tennis tournament,” said Lynn Southerly, executive director of the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation. “We encourage tennis fans to come to the Timber Ridge Friday and Saturday and cheer on the locals, watch some amazing doubles and get geared up for our main event, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, at the club in a few weeks.”

Local Vero Beach residents competing include Ching Wang, teaching pro for local Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation-funded programs this year who won this title last year with Vero Beach’s James Bragg. This year Wang is paired with James Aronson of New York City, whose grandmother is a long-time resident of Vero Beach. Bernardo Feitosa, who plays out of The Boulevard, is paired with Vero Beach High School boys tennis coach and local realtor Mike Hickey. Two of Hickey’s team members, Joseph Rodolico and Brent Sturgis, have also challenged themselves to compete in this tournament. Sam Weinstein, who plays out of the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club, is also in the field.

Last year’s “King of the Hill” runner-up Tyler Rios, who competed in the Mardy Fish doubles as a wild card last year with James van Deinse, is also in the field playing with Tomas Martinez also of Port St. Lucie.

John McConnell, who plays out of The Moorings and Quail Valley and is a former varsity player from the 1970s at Pepperdine, also entered the tournament with fellow Vero Beach resident Peter Carr, age 70. McConnell, 69 and now known more for managing media talent, does hold a career win over former top 5-ranked star Brad Gilbert and he will gladly tell those who ask the details of the match, including the age of Gilbert at the time.

Arizona State commit Tanner Povey of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, and Boise State commit Dylan Jaen of Hilton Head, S.C. are the top seeds in the tournament.

The full draws for the event can see here:

https://app.utrsports.net/events/221429?d=53e0c6a5-dbc7-4bc4-8e4e-b1cc7e478337&t=4

The schedule of play for the tournament is as follows

Friday 3 PM Matches

Joe Rodolico and Brent Sturgis (Vero Beach) vs. Tomas Martinez and Tyler Rios (Port St. Lucie)

Junior Tavarez (Dominican Republic) and Luis Carlos Gomez Navarro (Panama) vs. Bernardo Feitosa and Mike Hickey (Vero Beach)

Friday 3:30 PM Matches

Kai Edwards (Sebastian) and Ryan Markut (Palm City) vs. Jacobo Forero (Orlando) and Josh Glaspey (Palm City)

Friday 4:30 PM Matches

#1 Tanner Povery (Indian Rocks Beach) and Dylan Jaen (Hilton Head, S.C.) vs. Peter Carr and John McConnell (Vero Beach) – QUARTERFINAL

Friday 5 PM Matches

#3 Charlie Spencer (Orlando) and Freddie Healey (Portugal) vs. WINNER OF Joe Rodolico and Brent Sturgis (Vero Beach) vs. Tomas Martinez and Tyler Rios (Port St. Lucie) – QUARTERFINAL

Friday 5:30 PM Matches

#4 Juan David Diaz Rincon (Colombia) and Sam Weinstein (Vero Beach) vs. WINNER OF Junior Tavarez (Dominican Republic) and Luis Carlos Gomez Navarro (Panama) vs. Bernardo Feitosa and Mike Hickey (Vero Beach) – QUARTERFINAL

#2 Ching Wang (Vero Beach) and James Aronson (New York) vs. WINNER OF Kai Edwards (Sebastian) and Ryan Markut (Palm City) vs. Jacobo Forero (Orlando) and Josh Glaspey (Palm City) – QUARTERFINAL

Saturday Schedule

1:30 PM SEMIFINALS

4:30 PM FINAL

Ching Wang and James Bragg, the 2023 Mardy Fish Doubles “Wild Card” winners. Wang is in the field in 2024 but Bragg is not competing due to a conflicting scheudle

Top U.S. Juniors Lee, Gaskell Secure First Pro Chances At Mardy Fish Sea Oaks “Wild Card” Tournament

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by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

The Sea Oaks Beach & Tennis Club hosted for a sixth time the “Wild Card” tournament for the $15,000 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships USTA Pro Circuit event. The tournament, that awards a main draw singles “wild card” entry to the winner and a qualifying round “wild card” to the runner-up featured a record 43 entries from players from eight different countries.

Two of the top junior tennis players in the United States, Mitchell Lee of Oakland, Calif., and the No. 8 junior in the United States, and Lachlan Gaskell originally from Iowa and the 2023 USTA National Boy’s 16s runner-up, were the top two seeds, respectively, and met in the final with Lee winning by a 6-1, 6-2 margin.

Lee, who will play for Harvard University starting next Fall, will make his professional tennis event debut at the April 22-28 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club at Timber Ridge. Gaskell, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, will also get his first taste of pro tennis at the Mardy Fish “Futures” event by playing in the qualifying rounds.

Watch the entertaining post-match ceremony here: https://youtu.be/OYRaLA0ULTQ?si=scA15TuopNt7gYbB

Gaskell played the most exciting match of the tournament, saving two match points in his 7-5, 4-6, (12-10) semifinal win over Elias Shumann of Austria and the IMG Academy, saving match points at 8-9 and 9-10 in the decisive 10-point match tiebreaker played in lieu of a third set.

Several Vero Beach players competed in the event with Vero Beach High School Mason Cisco performing the best, reaching the round of 16 and giving eventual champion Lee his toughest match of the week, falling 6-3, 6-2. James Van Deinse of the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club and the 2024 “King of the Hill” champion won his first round match before falling to Gaskell SCORE in the second round. Bernardo Feitosa, a standout member of The Boulevard Club, also reached the second round before falling to Schumann 6-2, 6-2. Christian Docter, a teaching pro at Sea Oaks, reached the second round before losing to No. 3 seed Cody Benton 6-3, 6-4.

Local pro Ching Wang, who teaches at Windsor and with the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, was defeated in his opening match to Aldiyar Abzhan 6-4, 7-5.

Cameron Roth, teaching pro at Vero Club Tennis, reached the round of 16 after a first round win and a retirement, before losing to eventual semifinalist Ben Saltman 6-0, 6-0.

James Bragg, member of The Boulevard and winner of the Mardy Fish “Wild Card” doubles tournament in 2023, lost his opening round match to Sebastien Rivera 6-2, 6-2.

To review the entire draw, click on the UTR site here:  https://app.utrsports.net/events/205240?_ref=randyw456&shared=true

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation will also host a main draw doubles event April 5-7 at Timber Ridge where players can sign up here: https://app.utrsports.net/events/221429?_ref=randyw456&shared=true

A “pre-qualifying” event that will award a “wild card” into the qualifying tournament will also be held April 17-19 at Timber Ridge where players can sign up here: https://app.utrsports.net/events/221435?_ref=randyw456&shared=true

Three-Time Champ Matthew Segura Returns To Mardy Fish Sea Oaks Wild Card Event

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Matthew Segura, the great nephew of Hall of Famer Pancho Segura, leads the field of entries for the 2023 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Sea Oaks “Wild Card” Championships at the Sea Oaks Beach & Tennis Club Feb. 22-24.

Segura has competed and won this special event at Sea Oaks three previous times – in 2018, 2019 and 2020 – each time winning the event and earning a wild card entry into the $15,000 ITF World Tennis Tour USTA Pro Circuit event, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships.

Segura is ranked No. 1,281 on the ATP Tour rankings this week, but still has trouble getting direct entries into the main draw of $15,000 events with that ranking. At the 2021 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships at The Boulevard, Segura upset former U.S. Davis Cupper and Olympic team member Donald Young en route to the quarterfinals of the event. In 2020, when the Mardy Fish tournament was a non-ATP or ITF sanctioned Universal Tennis (UTR) event, he reached the singles final falling to Diego Hidalgo of Ecuador.

The 2023 wild card event at Sea Oaks featured a record 29 entries. Azariah Rusher of Delray Beach, Florida and a commit to Florida State University’s tennis team, is the No. 2 seed. The No. 3 seed is former Stanford University standout Ryan Haviland, who won the modern-day Mardy Fish doubles event in 2003. At 42 years old, Haviland runs a tennis academy in Greenville, South Carolina but still dabbles in playing competitive tennis. Vero Beach high school standout Mason Cisco as well as Sea Oaks teaching pros Ching Wang and Christian Docter are also in the field.

Play starts Tuesday at 4 pm at Sea Oaks with play also starting on Wednesday at 11:30 and including the traditional Sea Oaks Wednesday feature match at 4:30. The quarterfinals will be held on Thursday at 1 pm. The semifinals will be held at 10 am on Friday and the final at 4 pm on Friday.

The winner will receive a main draw wild card into the Mardy Fish Futures and the runner-up will receive a qualifying round wild card. The main event will be held April 24-30 at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club at Timber Ridge.

The full draws and schedule can be round here:

https://app.universaltennis.com/events/136050?d=2d99070e-5779-4e94-af9c-39e365c1ce65&t=3

Matthew Segura, the great nephew of Hall of Fame tennis legend Pancho Segura, played Perry Gregg, at Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club in Vero Beach. They were among a group of 32 aspiring players from around the world in the singles field of this tournament that will award a main draw singles “wild card” (tournament entry) into the 2019 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, the $25,000 ITF World Tennis Tour event.