"Nothing prepared me" - Carlos Alcaraz's former US Open opponent makes honest admission about facing Spaniard

Li Tu played one of the biggest matches of his career against Carlos Alcaraz at last year's US Open. The Aussie qualifier gave a good account of himself, taking a set off the four-time Grand Slam champion before succumbing in four sets.

The experience seems to have done him good as Li has maintained a steady graph since. His 2025 season has gotten off to a good start, with him scoring a solid win over James Duckworth at the Adelaide International.

The Aussie during his post-match press conference spoke about the match against Alcaraz and how it challenged the way he prepares for his encounters. Admitting that his usual routine of watching his opponent's past videos was not enough, Li said he needed to pay special attention being at a big court like the Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of a massive crowd.

"I think before US Open, Arthur Ashe Stadium, 27,000 people, not a whole lot can prepare you for that because the most people I played in front of before that was maybe 3,000," Li Tu said (via ASAP Text).

Li recalled using a lot of visualising techniques in the lead-up to the encounter, which was set to be his first in the US Open main draw. He, however, conceded that nothing could prepare him for the actual situation and it was only after he was out on the court that he could fathom the magnitude of the situation.

"Yeah, a lot of visualization, to be honest. But to be honest with you, nothing prepared me for that. It's not until you actually do it and you live it. Then the next time, Okay, I know what it's about," Li Tu said.

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"That's where experience comes into play" - Li Tu recalls being overwhelmed during Carlos Alcaraz encounter at US Open

Li Tu in action against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open (Source: Getty)

Li Tu has only played two main-draw Grand Slam matches in his young career, with the one against Carlos Alcaraz being the second. The biggest court that he had been on prior to that was the Kia Arena for a doubles encounter at his home Slam, the Australian Open.

Speaking about how the lack of experience of playing big matches can come back to haunt players, Li said no amount of visualising and psychological prep can supplement the actual on-court experience.

"I was ready for the music, I was ready for how loud it was going to be, I was ready for everything everyone told me. I was prepared. I had a session with my psychologist person. We were really prepared and did a lot of visualization the night before, the morning of," Li Tu said.

"But I still walk out and I'm like, Whoa. It's still so big (smiling). It's not until you actually do it, yeah. That's where experience comes into play, for sure," he added.