"Maybe I just have to look at myself and really look deep inside, because it can’t keep going on like this": Alexei Popyrin deflated after Australian Open capitulation

Alexei Popyrin left deflated after his Australian Open defeat, admitting he felt in control for much of the match but was unable to close it out when it mattered most.

The Australian cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference, summing up his emotions succinctly after another narrow loss at Melbourne Park. “Disappointment,” Popyrin said. “Obviously not happy. I felt like I was in control nearly all the match and couldn’t close it out. That’s about it.”

Popyrin felt conditions played a significant role in the momentum shift, particularly as the match wore on and the balls slowed. “When the balls were new and it was playing a little bit fast, I was totally in control,” he explained. “Once the ball started to get a little bit older, he moves well and he grinds really well, so it’s in his favour.”

Despite believing he served “ridiculously well” on the night, Popyrin felt the lack of a finishing touch at key moments ultimately proved costly. “My serve wasn’t as effective, even though I felt like I served ridiculously well today,” he said. “I just couldn’t come up with the finishing touch nearly three times today. That’s really disappointing, but you can look at the positives.”

The defeat continues a difficult Australian summer for the world number — one that Popyrin admitted has been hard to process, particularly given how he feels about his overall level. “For me, it’s really tough to take,” he said. “I just think I do a lot. I work a lot. I think about my career a lot.

“To have results like this, and to have the results I’ve had over the last couple of months, and obviously to start the year like this, it’s not easy to take — even though I feel like I’m playing well and I feel like I’m doing everything that I want to do. The results are just not coming.”

While accepting that inconsistency is sometimes part of the sport, Popyrin suggested a deeper self-assessment may be required if the pattern continues. “I guess that’s tennis sometimes, but when it keeps happening and keeps on happening, maybe I just have to look at myself and really look deep inside, because it can’t keep going on like this.”

Away from the match itself, Popyrin was also asked about his absence from Australia’s Davis Cup squad for February, with captain Lleyton Hewitt having said he would have loved to have had him available. Coming so soon after the loss, Popyrin admitted it was a difficult topic to address.

“I just think it’s a little bit tricky to talk about it now after such a loss,” he said. “It’s good timing of a question.”

Popyrin reiterated his pride in representing his country, but explained that scheduling and ranking considerations ultimately influenced his decision.

“I think nothing beats playing for your country, but at the same time I have to think about my year,” he said. “Davis Cup comes at a time in February and in a location where I don’t have any points to defend for quite a while, and I feel like it’s a good opportunity for me to climb the rankings.

“If I sacrifice that to play Davis Cup in Ecuador, where there’s altitude and we’re on clay, and it’ll take two weeks out of the year where I could be playing somewhere else at this current moment, then yeah, it’s tough. I’d love to play for my country, but it just didn’t match the schedule.”

Popyrin also addressed concerns over his physical condition after appearing to receive treatment on his calf during the match. He downplayed the issue, describing it as something that has lingered rather than a fresh injury.

“It wasn’t an injury,” he said. “It was more something that I’ve been dealing with over the last couple of months and it kind of flared up there.”

He added that emotion and expectation may have played a role, particularly on a court where he has cramped in consecutive years.

“With all the nerves and the hype and everything like that, I usually don’t cramp, but it’s already two years in a row that on this court I cramp,” Popyrin said. “I think I really want to put on a show and really want to win for the crowd. They’re there for me and I can’t win, so it’s not easy.”