Li To's first round match at the US Open came against one of the top players in tennis.
But just before facing Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night, he realized just how much of a “beast” the world No. 3 men's tennis player is.
Tu fought back to win one set in a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but spoke to ESPN after the match about seeing Alcaraz up close before their match in Flushing.
“Look, I'm not gonna lie, when he came out, he had his jacket on, and I was like, 'OK,'” Tu recalled during a set between venues at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. “We went to the coin toss, and he took his jacket off, and I was like, 'Man, this guy is amazing.' From the coin toss, from the coin toss. I was like, 'This guy is a beast.'”
“I was staring at the contours of his shoulders, the veins. You look at his forehand and you can tell he's got a real weapon. Hats off to him.”
That wasn't the only fun Tu had on Tuesday night.
In the second set, which the Australian won, he attempted an underhand serve but it barely hit the net, eliciting roars of surprise from the crowd.
But Tu laughed to himself at his failed attempt.
The story of how Tu found out, as a U.S. Open qualifier, that he would face Alcaraz in the main draw was quite funny.
Tu told Sky Sports that she found out she would be playing against the former world number one through a direct message on Instagram from a fan.
“When I read it just now, I couldn't believe it!” said Tu with a big smile.
This year's U.S. Open marks Tu's second Grand Slam tournament since qualifying for the 2021 Australian Open as a wildcard.
