- Alexei Popyrin won the Canadian Open in August
- Defeat five top 20 players on your way to the title
- Seeded 25th at the 2025 Australian Open
Australian Alexei Popyrin has revealed how his shock title in Montreal catapulted him into the world top 25 for the first time, but also saw him avoid falling into the wilds of tennis.
Popyrin, 25, is ranked 25th at Melbourne Park after his ATP ranking rose from 62-23 in August last year when he became the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to win an ATP Masters event.
The Sydney star then stunned Novak Djokovic at the US Open to reach the fourth round, but Montreal was his sliding doors moment.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open in 2023, Popyrin was at risk of returning to around 90th in the world, as he had important ranking points to defend.
Surprising five top-20 players to win the Canadian Open ensured that the points he lost in the following tournament in Cincinnati didn't really matter.
“I still say that Montreal was a huge tournament, not only because it was a Masters 1000 and I won it, but because if I hadn't won a match in Montreal and Cincinnati, I would have been ranked 90th in the world,” Popyrin said. journalists in Melbourne.
Alexei Popyrin has revealed how his surprising title in Montreal allowed him to avoid falling into the wilds of tennis (pictured, with partner Amy)
Popyrin, 25, is ranked 25th at Melbourne Park after his ATP ranking rose from 62nd to 23rd in August last year when he became the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to win an ATP Masters event.
Popyrin beat five top-20 players to win the Canadian Open in surprising fashion (pictured)
“That's the kind of pressure you play with in your head… the mentality you try to have is to put that aside and focus on the present; we (his team) did very well.”
“I think the best ones, when they find that kind of 'click' and that confidence… they just continue with that for the rest of their career.
“I think it's something I have to try to maintain… I have to do it more consistently.”
Popyrin will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet, world number 69, in the first round of the Open.
He won their only previous meeting in three sets in Monte Carlo last year.
Next up could be a second-round clash with another home crowd favorite, Rinky Hijikata.
Popyrin is eager to return to raucous John Cain Arena, a court where the crowd 'made him cry' in the 2023 second round when he scored a stunning five-set victory over Taylor Fritz.
Popyrin will face Frenchman Corentin Moutet, world number 69, in the first round at Melbourne Park
The victory against the American star helped him put a horrible 2022 behind him after Popyrin's ranking slipped to 130.
He even needed a wild card from the tournament organizers to play the Grand Slam.
'I experienced (the crowd) against Fritz a few years ago. “That was just amazing… it's a memory that will live with me forever,” he said.
“That's definitely what brings out the best in me, is trying to put on a show for the local crowd.
'We don't have many opportunities to do that. “That’s just extra motivation for me to go out there and try to put on a show for them and make them proud.”