While many US Open competitors may want to avoid Carlos Alcaraz in the early matches, his first opponent is super excited to come up against him this week
Image: Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Australian tennis star Li Tu has said that coming up against Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open this week is “so crazy”.
Tu is extremely excited to battle the Wimbledon champion in the opening round of the Grand Slam tournament this week, and said that the chance to play against one of the best in the industry is an “incredible opportunity”.
Despite Alcaraz’s career just taking off in tennis, he has already won four Grand Slam titles – including two Wimbledon victories, the French Open and the US Open too. His exciting start in the sport has helped Alcaraz gain some serious respect among his peers, including the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Speaking to the North West Star, Tu has said that he was shocked that he was able to come up against Alcaraz this week. While many tennis players may want to avoid the Spaniard at all costs, the Australian is ecstatic to take to the court against him.
He said: “We were out at dinner with me, my coach, best mate, my wife Kimberly and we’re all just celebrating (getting through qualifying). When we started dinner, there were still some qualifying matches going on so we’re just having dinner, no worries.
“And then I got a text message on Instagram and a fan actually messaged me saying, ‘Li, you’re playing Carlos Alcaraz’. And I was like, ‘No way’.
“Then we saw the draw and it was like Carlos-Li and I was like ‘OK, this is happening’.”
Tu, who’s currently ranked No. 189 in the world, shared his joy at being able to potentially cause an upset in the first round, as he continued: “It’s incredible. You work hard, you put your blood, sweat and tears into this sport for moments like this, and I’m just incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to do this.
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“I was two match points down the last round of qualifying. I was joking with my team that I was literally one second serve from clearing the net by this much away from packing my bags and going home.
“But, instead, I’m preparing and figuring out a game plan to play one of the best in our sport, so (it’s been) pretty crazy.”
Alcaraz has become a sensation in tennis, racking up the wins in recent years against some serious competition. After beating Djokovic for the second time in the Wimbledon final, the 24-time Grand Slam winner praised Alcaraz’s talent as he said: “Some really complete tennis from back on the court, serve, I mean he really had it all today.
“I tried to push him, save the three match points and extended the match a little bit – but it wasn’t meant to be. Really, he was an absolutely deserved winner today. So a huge congratulations to him for amazing tennis.”
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The Spaniard also brushed shoulders with another tennis icon as he partnered Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympics this year. While they were beaten in the quarter finals of the men’s doubles, Nadal was quick to share his approval of his younger counterpart.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner wrote on X: “Thank you @carlosalcaraz for these days that have been fantastic in many ways. Unforgettable experience with you and the entire team. And, now, the most important thing; Let’s go Carlos for the medal, you are closer after today’s victory, you can get it. We are all with you!”
Li Tu will take on Alcaraz in the first round of the US Open at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City at 12am on Wednesday, August 28.
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