Popyrin hoping to lean on Aussie support against Djokovic

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi’ was quickly followed by ‘Popyrin, Popyrin, Popyrin,’ in the early hours of 19 January 2023 on John Cain Arena.

Standing in the middle, embracing the roar was Australian Alexei Popyrin, who had just defeated World No. 9 Taylor Fritz in a five-set epic at the Australian Open. Back in Melbourne 12 months later, the 24-year-old sits with a beaming smile when reflecting on the moment.

“It was a unbelievable. The match was such a high level,” Popyrin said. “The tennis was really, really good, but also it was a spectacle. It was an unbelievable match to watch and to be a part of and to play. I wouldn’t have done that without the fans on my back. I lost the fourth set 6-7. I had match points in the fourth. Without the crowd support, I don’t think I would have come back so quickly in the fifth set, mentally.

“Them chanting my name at the Australian Open. That was something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. It’ll be the best memory in my career for my whole life so that is amazing.”

Popyrin will need all the support he can get on Wednesday when he faces World No. 1 and record 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round at the Australian Open. His countryman Alex de Minaur defeated the Serbian at the United Cup earlier this month.

READ MORE:SOUND OF VICTORY:Novak Djokovic beats qualifier Dino Prizmic in his longest first-round match

Popyrin admitted that he will speak to De Minaur before the match and look back on his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting against Djokovic in 2019, when the 98-time tour-level titlist beat a then-19-year-old Popyrin in Tokyo.

“I’ll definitely ask Alex,” Popyrin said. “I have to. I have to do my homework. I played him when I was 19 years old. I just broke the Top 100 when I played him and qualified for that tournament. I remember that I was physically just not up to par with him.

“Now I’m 24 years old, five years later, a bit more experienced, bit more mature. A bit physically stronger. I would say much more physically stronger. I think for me playing the way that I have to play and focusing more on myself than who is on the opposite side of the net.”

Djokovic has not lost at the Australian Open since 2018 when he fell to Hyeon Chung in the fourth round. The Everton FC supporter Popyrin thundered 20 aces against Marc Polmans in his first-round win, clubbing 56 winners in total. He will need to hope his weapons are firing if he is to cause the top seed problems