"I don't want to regret not having fun": Alexei Popyrin on following the mindset of Michael Jordan and Andy Murray

Alexei Popyrin entered 2025 carrying the weight of a breakthrough 2024—a season where he captured the Cincinnati Masters 1000 title, stunned Novak Djokovic at the US Open, and broke into the world’s top 20 for the first time. With those results fueling expectations, this year was meant to cement his arrival among the elite. Instead, injuries, illness, and a string of early losses left him finishing at world No. 54, a reality he acknowledged while holding firm to his belief in his long-term potential.

"I feel like I have the level to return to the top 20, so my ranking doesn't worry me," commented the 26-year-old Australian according to Punto de Break. "I don't like where I am right now, and it's not a good picture, but I know what I am capable of doing with my game, and when I'm in the right mental state and training goes well, I feel like everything will fall into place, and I'll get back to where I should be."

Popyrin’s 2025 campaign never found rhythm after an illness early in the year and recurring physical setbacks that disrupted both training and competition. The expectations created by his 2024 surge may have intensified his frustration as results failed to match his ambitions. Yet, the Australian remained candid about the challenges he faced, emphasizing the importance of recovery and perspective after a difficult season. "I've had bad luck this year with injuries and an illness earlier in the year, but you're bound to have years like this, and the important thing is how you recover."

What made the disappointment sharper was the contrast with the player he had become just months earlier—a top-20 threat with elite wins and a Masters 1000 title to his name. But Popyrin insists the hardships of 2025 have allowed him to reshape his priorities and approach, especially as he moves into the more mature phase of his career.

"I needed a break. I was almost two and a half to three months straight without rest, and that just with traveling, training, playing, and I think I reached a point where the week before Wimbledon I didn't feel ready, and that was already the second Grand Slam where it happened to me. It was probably the least enjoyable season of my career so far, but I learned a lot about how I want to approach the rest of my career."

As Popyrin reflected on what went wrong, he also focused on what must change moving forward. Entering the tour as one of the most promising ball-strikers of his generation came with pressure he hadn’t always processed. Now, approaching what he calls the “mid and final phase” of his career, he realises that chasing rankings isn’t enough if the lifestyle around tennis becomes joyless.

That shift in perspective shaped one of his biggest takeaways: "I'm in the mid and final phase of my career, so I want to start enjoying the trips. I want to enjoy all the countries I visit. I listen to my coaches, Wayne Ferreira and Nev Godwin, and I've also listened to interviews with Michael Jordan and Andy Murray. They all say that, once it's over, they regret not having enjoyed it more. They all say that the overall experience of competing at a high level is the best thing that has ever happened to them in life. I don't want to regret at the end of my career for not having fun."

This mindset marks a turning point for the Australian, especially after a season defined by constant travel, coaching adjustments and the feeling of pushing through without a moment to reset. Popyrin said he could feel the toll—emotionally and physically—as the year progressed, noting that the more he forced things, the less he enjoyed playing.

The lesson, he explains, is that performance isn’t sustainable without balance. "I can't wait to come back home. It's my favorite time of the year. I can also spend time with my family in Australia. That's going to be very important for me next year: trying to enjoy the tour as much as possible. Starting in Australia, in front of my local crowd, is going to be incredible. Honestly, I can't wait."