SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Alberto “AJ” Lim Jr., who climbed higher in the world rankings this month, will join Fil-American Treat Huey in his quest for glory in the 2017 Australian Open.
Lim, now ranked no. 38 in the International Tennis Federation junior rankings, will be taking part in the junior division for the second straight year.
The last time around, Lim lost in the first round to Spanish rival Eduardo Bartrina, 4-6, 0-6.
He climbed 18 rungs higher from no. 52 last month after joining the Metropolia Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship and making it to the first round.
Two months ago, reaching the quarterfinals of the Eddie Herr netfest in Florida, helped him move up in the rankings as well.
Also, two ITF men’s futures events in Hong Kong last December got Lim ready for action.
But an ankle sprain in the second set forced him to retire in his first-round match with British rival Jay Clarke.
“There will be a lot of risk with injuries if I continued playing that game,” said Lim in a radio interview.
Lim spent the holidays in Manila with his family after his stint in Hong Kong.
Practices at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center have kept Lim in shape during the holidays.
