Alexei Popyrin has always known how to draw a crowd at Melbourne Park. A staple at John Cain Arena, the Aussie is playing must-see tennis.
That tennis helped him to several milestones this season, including his first Masters title, best Grand Slam result and a career-high ranking.
Here are five reasons why we love the talented 25-year-old, and why you should book a ticket to see him compete at Australian Open 2025.
1. He knows how to rev up the crowd
If you find yourself watching Popyrin in action, expect the stands to be loud and full of energy.
His ability to get the crowd on his side is a credit to his powerful play and the positive emotion he expresses following a point.
Whether it’s at Arthur Ashe Stadium or at John Cain Arena, Popyrin knows how to get a crowd on their feet.
2. His recent form
The last six months for Popyrin have arguably been the best of his career.
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Following a third-round appearance at the Paris Olympics, the Sydneysider won his first Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal in August. He then went on to reach the fourth round of the US Open – his best result at a Grand Slam.
At AO 2025 Popyrin is expected to be seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament, putting himself in prime position to improve on his career-best run at the tournament (third-round finishes in 2019, 2020 and 2023)
That would mean more opportunities to watch the Aussie in action.
3. He brings his best against the best
Everybody loves an underdog, and Popyrin has relished this role throughout his career, claiming some huge wins in the process.
The world No.24 has won five of his last six matches against top-10 opponents, most notably defeating Novak Djokovic in the third round of the 2024 US Open.
At Melbourne Park, Popyrin upstaged Taylor Fritz in a five-set epic in 2023 in front of a raucous John Cain Arena crowd.
Expect him to loom dangerously once more against the world’s best at AO 2025.
4. His offensive game
Popyrin knows how to attack, with big weapons assisting in his impressive rise this year.
Currently ranked eighth in the world for aces per match, at 10.2, his serve is troubling for his opponents – just ask Djokovic. “If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anybody,” Djokovic said following their US Open clash.
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Coupled with a powerful forehand, the Aussie is a fun watch when his offensive game is thriving.
At AO 2024 he smacked 20 aces among 56 total winners to beat Marc Polmans in straight sets, and despite a four-set second-round loss to Djokovic, hit 21 more winners (52-31 total) past the Serbian legend.
5. His never-say-die attitude
Everyone loves an Aussie battler, someone who gives 110 per cent and will not throw in the towel.
Popyrin is one such player.
In the past four seasons alone Popyrin has played 10 five-set matches at Grand Slam events, and on three occasions has bounced back from two-sets-to-one down to triumph.
Three of his five-set matches in the span have been wins over seeded opponents.
He’ll stay out there for as long as it takes, and buoyed by the energy of his home crowd, that could translate to more success at Australian Open 2025.