Teen follows in famous Aussie footsteps
PATRICK Mouratoglou, the man who has guided Serena Williams to 10 majors, predicts a huge future for Alex Popyrin.
Popyrin, 17, is the first Australian to claim the French Open boy’s title since dual major finalist Phil Dent in 1968.
Along with Dent, he is now among only five male Austra- lians to triumph in Paris juniors.
The others are Grand Slam titans Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson and John Newcombe (twice), who advanced to win 27 singles majors, collectively.
Mouratoglou said Popyrin, who trains at the Frenchman’s academy in Nice, has immeasurable talent.
“He has huge potential,” Mouratoglou said after Popyrin contested possibly his last junior event before tackling the lower tiers of the professional circuit.
A purist, Mouratoglou believes the best way to develop talent is on outdoor clay and values French Open junior success above all others.
“I think it (French Open) is the most difficult junior tournament to win,” he said.
“So when you win this one, it means a lot in terms of potential.
Popyrin moved overseas with his family as an eightyear-old to further his career.
“I was born in Sydney,’’ he said. ‘‘My parents immigrated to Australia (from Russia) before I was born and I lived there for eight years.
Seven years ago he moved to Spain to get regular practice on clay courts.