Alexei Popyrin has vowed to use his most recent grand slam breakthrough as a launch pad to success, as he plots a “revenge” mission on Pat Rafter Arena.
The Australian ace will challenge Matteo Arnaldi in his opening Brisbane International clash, intent on writing the wrongs of the last time the two faced – a 2023 Davis Cup defeat at the hands of the Italian.
Popyrin admits to still being haunted by that outing, claiming on Saturday it was “probably the most painful loss of my career”, as his country ultimately lost in the final.
Alexei Popyrin will face off against Matteo Arnaldi in his opening Brisbane International clash.Credit: AP
The 25-year-old has not played him since then, but the intervening year has proved to be his most prolific.
He became the first Australian in 21 years to win an ATP Masters 1000 title, a victory in Montreal triggering his rise to the world’s top 30.
Then, it was his maiden grand slam fourth-round berth at the US Open, in which he conquered Novak Djokovic.
While Popyrin shrugged off suggestions he was salivating over the chance of a rematch with the Serbian superstar, he was adamant that his run of milestones had him far better equipped to deal with Arnaldi.
“That one [the US Open] was huge for me because I think I’d been in the third round seven or eight times before,” Popyrin said.
“But I managed to do it in a big way against Novak, and I think that was probably – after Montreal – the biggest thing I’m happy with.
“It has definitely been a good year – an unbelievable year – if you ask me. But I think it could have been really different if I had not won a match in Montreal.
Alexei Popyrin hit career best form in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
“Had I not won a match there, we wouldn’t be talking here – I probably would have needed a wildcard for this tournament.
“Montreal happened, and since then, it’s been really good, but that’s all because of the work. But I can’t look back on it and say you’ve done it, and I’ve achieved something – I need to keep focusing.”
Popyrin’s surge has taken him to No. 24 in the world, with compatriots Alex de Minaur (No. 9) and Jordan Thompson (No. 26) joining him in tennis’ upper echelon.
All three now appear destined for Australian Open seedings, while Nick Kyrgios returns from injury with a protected ranking of No. 21.
The collective success in 2024 led Popyrin to believe a drought-breaking Australian men’s grand slam win was nearing – a sight not seen since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.
“Australian tennis is in a really good space right now: we’ve got not only us three in the top 30, but we’ve got players inside the top 60, top 70, who are really putting pressure on that and playing some great tennis,” Popyrin said.
“What we’ve achieved in the past few years of Davis Cup – two finals and a semi-final – that doesn’t come easy, and that comes from us driving, trying to make each other better and helping each other.
“Demon [de Minaur] is leading us in terms of that he’s made quarter-finals in a lot of the slams over the last year, and hopefully, I can join him in that run, and we’ll see what happens.”
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