Aussie Alexei Popyrin has melted the world’s hearts with an emotional post-match interview after pulling off a surprising five-set upset of US eighth seed Taylor Fritz.
Fritz was anticipated to go deep within the event however he was yet one more early casualty on a day of upsets with 5 seeded gamers together with No. 2 seed Casper Ruud and twelfth seed Alexander Zverev knocked out of the event earlier than the night time session had even begun.
Nevertheless it was Popyrin that was a favorite upset, with the Aussie coming from 113th on this planet and needing a wildcard to even play within the occasion after a stunning 2022 season.
Already in 2023 he’s defeated World No. 7 Felix Auger-Aliassime and now the World No. 9 in Fritz.
Popyrin had an absolute shocker of a season final 12 months, successful simply 5 from 22 matchers on the ATP Tour and dropping from a profession excessive of World No. 59 to a low of World No. 131.
After finishing the win towards Fritz 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-7 6-2, the reduction and emotion was clear for the 23-year-old from Sydney.
Soaking all of it in, Popyrin even joined within the crowd chanting “Popy, Popy”.
Wiping away sweat and tears, Popyrin was blown away.
“You guys have been simply unimaginable, oh my god,” Popyrin started.
“Loopy man, I actually couldn’t have executed it with out you guys.
“This win, it means a lot to me. I had a troublesome 12 months final 12 months. Didn’t win many matches, I’ve gained as many matches this 12 months as I did all of final 12 months.
“Pre-season I put my head down and I labored as exhausting as I presumably may. I don’t need that feeling I had final 12 months ever once more. I’m going to maintain working, I’m going to maintain pushing, I’m going to try to maintain going all the best way. I really like this sense, I need extra of this sense, I need you guys to have this sense extra … Man I really like you guys a lot. Thanks.”
Popyrin was in or close to tears all through the interview along with his voice shaking underneath the load of what he had simply achieved.
Extremely, in Popyrin’s part of the draw, Ruud and Fritz imply that the subsequent time he’ll face a seeded participant might be the semi-finals, relying on the results of the Roberto Bautista Agut — Brandon Holt match. If Holt wins, it’ll be the semi-finals, though that may probably be towards Novak Djokovic or Andrey Rublev.
Requested about his staff and their reactions, Popyrin stated it was like they have been on the court docket with him.
“It means a lot to them – I used to be taking part in 4 hours and me and my coach have been locked in, it was like two towards one towards Fritzy,” Popyrin stated.
“We had the identical ideas on a regular basis and I actually couldn’t have executed it with out them. The work we put on this pre-season and the work we put in final 12 months as nicely, even when issues weren’t going nicely, it is a dream for me and I don’t wish to get up in any respect.”
Popyrin will play Ben Shelton tomorrow and stated he’d not even have a look at a racquet tomorrow to ensure he’s 100 per cent for the match.
The world shortly fell in love with the Aussie star.
Australian of the 12 months Dylan Alcott wrote: “Popyrin in tears has obtained me chopping onions over right here. What a good looking interview. You deserve it mate!”
Sport reporter Nick McCarvel commented: “Goosebumps from on-court interview from Alexei Popyrin with @caseydellacqua.”
The Categorical’ Yasmin Syed tweeted: “Unimaginable effort from Popyrin. Unimaginable. Didn‘t let his head go when he misplaced the fourth and pulled off a very full efficiency to upset Fritz. Such an emotional win after struggling final 12 months with barely any matches and falling out of the highest 100.”
CODE Sports activities’ Adam Peacock added: “Superior scenes on JCA. Stands actually shaking on match level for Popyrin.”
Rayder Media co-owner Derek Alberts posted: “Australian Alexei Popyrin delivers a powerful efficiency on court docket and follows that up with one of the crucial memorable post-match interviews ever seen in Melbourne.”
