Di Wu eyes to make history at the Australian Open 2013 – Tennis Special
Chinese contender, Di Wu, is bidding to make history in Melbourne after becoming the first male Chinese player to play a Grand Slam main draw. He is currently on a tight training schedule in France and will return to China in two weeks.
The Chinese, whose first name Di means invincible, is aiming to make his nation proud after becoming the first male player in Open Era to play in a main draw of any Grand Slam. However, he is under pressure with so many people having high hopes from him.
Wu was quoted in an interview to ATPWorldTour.com:
“I am proud to be the first, but of course at the same time, I am also feeling the pressure. But I will try to turn it into motivation. Every athlete has to face pressure and I am no different.”
Ranked 183rd in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings, Wu is gearing up for the Australian Open by training in a tennis club in France for over a month. He is currently on a tight schedule and
even trains on Sunday. The Chinese is mainly focusing on his fitness in order to adjust for intense conditions in Melbourne and his serves.
He reflected:
“I am training in a tennis club here, and we’ve put lots of effort into my serve and fitness. We have to play best of five sets in Grand Slam tournaments after all, and the summer in Melbourne is scorching hot, so I have to be well prepared with my fitness.
Even on Sundays I have to climb mountains!”
Wu has been to Australia earlier this season for the Hopman Cup, Davis Cup and the ATP Challenger Tour events. He likes the atmosphere there and is excited to play his first main draw Grand Slam match.
The 21-year-old received a wild card for this first Grand Slam event of the season after conquering the Asia-Pacific wild card tournament. He overpowered his entire opponents with ease and stole the show.
The Chinese will play the qualifying competition in Sydney before the Australian Open.
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