'Soldiers march on': Demon opponent shares beautiful text from dad amid LA wildfires

MELBOURNE: As if playing against Alex de Minaur in his own backyard wasn't a tough enough challenge on its own.

The on court component is just part of a mind spinning week for American qualifier Tristan Boyer in Melbourne.

Boyer, who will take on the eighth seed on Thursday afternoon, hails from Altadena, 22km from downtown Los Angeles, and a community that has been decimated by the deadly fires.

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Boyer revealed his father Christopher had been forced to evacuate the family home as the fires raged while his mother Shari is in Melbourne supporting him.

"Our beloved Altadena is gone," Christopher told his son in a text message that Tristan shared on social media.

"My heart breaks. But soldiers march on. So you focus on what you have to do and don't worry about anything here. I'm great considering everything. And the house is fine. Love you so much. I'm so proud of you."

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Boyer also told reporters about the terror being relayed to him.

"We have friends and family who are homeless now," he said.

"It's really, really devastating to see. Obviously I'm trying to prep and play tennis but yeah, it's hard for sure."

De Minaur is a short priced favourite to beat Boyer in the second round.

"He really does look like he's learned to embrace being not only the Aussie No.1 but a top 10 player in the world given his results last year," Daniela Hantuchova said on Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.

De Minaur was typically classy in offering his thoughts to those affected by the LA fires.

"Obviously it's a horrible situation right now in California," he said.

"All my condolences go to all of those affected in that area and you don't want to see that in any place in the in the world.

"I'm sure he's (Boyer) going through a lot. But as for our match-up, I'm looking forward to it.

"He's obviously playing with a lot of confidence, getting through qualifiers and getting now four matches under his belt, so I'm expecting a battle and I'm looking forward to it."

Boyer, 23, is ranked 136th in the world and upset Federico Coria of Argentina in five sets in the first round.

De Minaur swept past dangerous Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets in round one.