Popyrin: "When you win a GS in juniors, you think you are obligated to succeed"

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Despite celebrating winning a big trophy today, Alexei Popyrin hasn't always experienced great moments on the circuit. With the ATP Montreal 2024 trophy in his hands after defeating Andrey Rublev in the final, the young Australian explains the harsh reality of transitioning from winning a lot in juniors to feeling stuck on the professional circuit. Alexei shares the fears that a tennis player beyond the Top 25 faces, the ups and downs, and the sacrifices he has had to make to now conquer the most important title of his career so far.

His first Masters 1000 final

"It's incredible. The hard work of all these past years is paying off this week. I've played at a really high level of tennis, a level in which I've always believed I could play, but developing it over six consecutive matches against top opponents is something different. I'm very proud of myself and my team. I've felt very calm, honestly. I work to play matches like this, I enjoy the finals and semifinals of big tournaments. That's where I feel I can play my best tennis. I wanted to send a message in the first game, something I believe I did."

Is this the best match of your career?

"I would say it's one of the best matches I've played in my life. I'm not so proud of how I played in the final, but of how I played throughout the entire week."

The harsh reality of the circuit

"When I was in juniors, I won Roland Garros, was number two in the world; you think you're obliged to succeed, to reach the top quickly. I saw how the Canadians did it: Shapovalov, Felix... I saw many players I grew up with take that big leap quickly. For me, that wasn't the case. I was a bit later, even finished my junior career later. When you win a Grand Slam in juniors, you think the next step will be easy, but it's not. Breaking into the Top 500 is very difficult. Reaching the Top 250 is very hard. Being in the Top 100 is a different level. Staying in the Top 100 is even more challenging. Breaking into the Top 50, even more so.

There are many steps you don't notice when you're in juniors. I did it once in 2021, won my first title, and entered the Top 60. I was 21, didn't think I would drop in the rankings but rather continue to improve. The following year, I lost all my points. I won three matches on the circuit, fell out of the Top 120. I had to receive an invitation to play in the Australian Open. From then on, I started building gradually. Last year was very important to me. I won in Umag, played well in Masters 1000, which solidified my position within the Top 50.

This season has been full of ups and downs until this week. I started at 38, this week I was 62. I haven't defended all my points. There were many chances I would drop again because I defend a lot in Cincinnati, made quarterfinals. Those thoughts are in your head all the time; you have to find a way to block them, and that's what I've done this week."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Popyrin: "Cuando ganas un GS en juniors piensas que estás obligado a triunfar"