From YouTube vlogger to Australian Open qualifying, Jules Marie’s documented story just keeps getting better.
At 32, Marie returned to the Grand Slam qualifying stages for the first time since 2015 on Tuesday. He delivered in a major way.
Taking on No. 12-seeded countryman Benoit Paire, Marie secured a 7-6 (6), 6-4 victory—his first win in three career attempts following a pair of opening-round defeats in Roland Garros qualifying. His fighting spirit shone through, as the world No. 224 saved a set point in the opening tie-break and then stormed back to win the final five games of the second set.
The journey to this point is remarkable on its own and is one that saw Marie contest just nine tournaments over a six-year period when he all but stopped pursuing a career as a professional tennis player.