Australian tennis great Mark Woodforde has praised Alexei Popyrin’s professionalism after he progressed to the third round of the Australian Open after a horror year on tour in 2022.
Popyrin defeated eight seed American Taylor Fritz 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in a match that lasted just over four hours.
It is the first time an Australian has won against a top 10 opponent at the Australian Open since 2005 when Lleyton Hewitt beat 9th ranked David Nalbandian and second seed Andy Roddick on his way to the final.
Popyrin, who is ranked 113rd, only won one match at any of the slams in 2022 and he vowed to train hard during the pre-season to ensure it wouldn’t happen again in 2023. Woodforde said this latest result is a testament to his character.
“When Alexei transitioned into full-time professional (tennis), he thought it was going to be an easy ride,” Woodforde said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“When you’re young, you do feel like you’re superman and you feel like it’s just going to happen for you.
“Alexei got on the court and didn’t work as much as he possibly could’ve.
“He needed a coaching change, he needed a rethink, needed to reposition himself and he needed to find that reset button.
“Thankfully he did and I think that’s a testament to his character in that he persevered.
“It is remarkable that already, he has won more matches this year than he did last year.
“That tells you how bleak 2022 was but now he has a great opportunity.
“Let’s hope he keeps those blinkers on and takes it one match at a time.”
Fritz was one of a number of high ranked players who fell to lower-ranked opponents on Thursday with second seed Casper Ruud, twelfth seed Alexander Zverev and women’s second seed Ons Jabeur all bowing out.
The tennis world is in a transition period according to Woodforde who said that the men's and women's draws are incredibly even.
“They were doing the on court interview with Popyrin and his next opponent is this young American in Ben Shelton,” he said.
“I think that surprised the heck out of Alexei (and) the crowd were going ‘who?’
“It is a bit of a change that’s happening right now.
“It’s not the same names and the marquee (players).
“It’s not a Roger (Federal), it’s not a Rafa (Nadal) and it’s not a Novak (Djokovic).”
Popyrin is one of two Aussies remaining alongside 22nd seed Alex de Minaur.
