In a world where George Orwell’s 1984 and an Ed Sheeran B-side rarely converge, Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin has found solace in this unusual combination. After a surprising first-round exit at Wimbledon in June, where he was defeated by world number 461 Arthur Fery, Popyrin realized the need for a break from the pressures of professional tennis.
“I was numb,” Popyrin confessed to ABC Sport. “I didn’t feel sad. I didn’t feel happy. I just felt kind of like, yeah, this is what happens and I’ve never had that feeling before in my career.”
In response, the 26-year-old and his fiancée, Amy, retreated to Bermuda, where Popyrin rekindled his love for reading. Immersing himself in books, he found a new rhythm, reading a book a week. “I’ve really gotten hooked on reading. I’m in the sci-fi and fantasy kind of genre,” he shared, currently engrossed in Orwell’s classic.
Reconnecting and Recharging
Beyond literature, Popyrin and Amy attended an Ed Sheeran concert in Ipswich, indulging in their shared admiration for the musician. “My favorite Ed Sheeran track is probably one that not many people know. It’s called You Need Me, I Don’t Need You,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, the tennis circuit has been less forgiving. Despite reaching a career-high ranking of 19 this year, Popyrin’s journey has been tumultuous. A change in coaching staff and a dip in mental health have posed challenges. Yet, Popyrin remains optimistic, drawing confidence from past victories, including a memorable win against Novak Djokovic at last year’s US Open.
The Quest for Consistency
As the US Open looms, Popyrin is determined to prove his consistency. His victory over Djokovic was part of a breakthrough year, highlighted by his first Masters 1000 title, a feat no Australian had achieved since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003. However, maintaining such form has been elusive.
“I’ve always been able to show up for the big matches against the big guys and cause trouble for them,” Popyrin noted. “But I’ve also not been consistent in beating the players that I should be beating.”
Facing a challenging draw, Popyrin is unfazed by the prospect of meeting world number one Jannik Sinner in the second round. “I’m the kind of player that enjoys those kind of matches,” he stated, though his immediate focus is on his first-round match against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.
Addressing Burnout
Burnout has become a prevalent issue in professional tennis, with Popyrin acknowledging its impact. “Burnout is a very, very big thing in tennis right now,” he explained. “And I think a lot of it has to do with the two-week schedules, two-week Masters events.”
Reflecting on his Wimbledon experience, Popyrin admitted, “I was never one to really focus on my mental health… but after that Wimbledon [loss], I had to take a step back and figure out where did it all go wrong.”
With a revised approach to his career, Popyrin is hopeful. “When you’re young and motivated, you can play a lot of tournaments, but as you get older… it starts to become a grind,” he said. Now considered a veteran on tour, Popyrin is applying the lessons learned to navigate the demands of the sport.
As the US Open unfolds, Popyrin’s journey will be one to watch, both for his on-court performance and his off-court resilience. The tournament represents not just a chance to compete but an opportunity to redefine his path in tennis.
