Blooming Poppy chasing the big time
ALEXEI Popyrin is in the throes of contesting only his sixth Grand Slam tournament.
The 20-year-old Aussie is into the third round of a major for the third time of what is still an embryonic career.
While Spain-based Popyrin made significant headway in 2019, climbing from No.148 to inside the top 100, he remains a young man in a hurry.
Put simply, making the third round does not cut it anymore.
“I’m not kind of starstruck by being in the third round anymore ... I wouldn’t say got used to it, but I’m more, like, self-centred and more focused on the third round,” he said.
At 196cm and 78kg, Popyrin has the frame to be the perfect modern tennis prototype.
He also has the attitude, accepting challenge after challenge in 2019. In qualifying for 10 separate ATP events, Popyrin matched German Mischa Zverev’s 2016 record as the tour’s most prolific qualifier.
With aspirations of emulating 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro’s style and feats, Popyrin is undoubtedly on the rise.
His third-round opponent, Daniil Medvedev, knows precisely how dangerous Popyrin can be, having taken four sets at Wimbledon last year to subdue the youngster.
History is also on Popyrin’s side with each of the four Grand Slam junior events producing myriad champions.
The French, won by Popyrin in 2017, is no exception.
Popyrin’s 2020 mission statement is simple, after “probably the best year I’ve ever had (in Grand Slams)”.
“On the ATP it was kind of a mixed bag, qualifying but not winning many matches in main draws of ATPs,” he said.
“That’s one thing I’m looking to change ... perform well in Grand Slams and keep performing well.”