The player from Murcia will face his first match in the US Open main draw against an opponent named Li Tu. Li Tu is an almost unknown player but with a remarkable story of overcoming challenges. The Australian player, aged 28, managed to qualify for his second Grand Slam main draw after receiving a wildcard invitation from the Australian Open in 2021.

Li Tu decided to leave tennis for 6 years to pursue a career as an economist and establish a tennis academy in his country. He coached young talents who inspired him to return to competition, starting with Futures tournaments and later the Challenger circuit, achieving remarkable results and climbing up the rankings rapidly. However, he paused his career for two months to focus on his mother, who had been battling cancer for two years. After her passing, Li Tu returned to competition with the aim of rediscovering happiness in playing tennis and making his mother proud.

“She is still with me. I truly believe that and it’s all I want, for my parents to be proud. I know they will be no matter what I do,” Li Tu shared with the ATP. “It was a very tough time for my family, and we still haven’t overcome it. We all miss her every day. Whenever we talk about her, tears come to our eyes. She was one of the best people,” he expressed.

Li Tu will now face Carlos Alcaraz, one of the top players in the world, in the US Open. This will be a challenging match for the Australian player, but he will tackle it with the support of his family and the memory of his mother, who will be watching over him from heaven.