Cyclone tennis player Maria Fernando Macedo, a Mexico native, will be competing in her country Tuesday in Yucatan, Mexico.

Macedo is one of six athletes attending tryouts to represent Mexico at the World University Games. There will be a round-robin tournament to decide which two players will be selected.

If Macedo is selected, she will be in a draw of 64 other players to compete in singles matches during the games. In addition to the singles matches, there will be doubles and mixed doubles. This format emulates that of professional tournaments such as Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

The World University Games will be held in Shenzhen, China in August.

Macedo has been playing tennis since the age of five, and grew up playing the game for 16 years. Her experience has yielded results for her at Iowa State. In her three years as a Cyclone. Her singles and doubles victories to date combine for a record of 95 wins. That already puts her at tenth overall in Cyclones tennis history with another season to go.

Last season, Macedo went 19-12 in singles matches, competing mostly in the No. 2 position. She also went 12-16 in doubles matches with teammate Tessa Lang in the No. 1 position.

Iowa State’s tennis team awarded her the Most Valuable Player award for the season. Macedo will likely be transitioning to the top position in singles next year, as she will be the top tennis player at Iowa State.

Some of Macedo’s strengths include the power of her shots.

“I can hit the ball pretty hard,” Macedo said. She feels that having power behind her tennis swing can help her in scramble situations, as well as giving her the edge when she plays closer to the net.

During her time playing for the Cyclones, Macedo has developed her game and improved each year. Macedo said that the upcoming competition will be a great challenge and means a lot to her as she returns home to play in front of her family.

“It is an honor to be playing back in my country,” said Macedo. “I hope to do well in this event and represent Mexico.”