Alexei Popyrin has reflected on his abrupt exit from the Australian Open after succumbing to a four-set defeat against France’s Corentin Moutet in the first round. Despite winning the first set, Popyrin struggled with a left glute injury and cramping hamstring, contributing to his 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 loss at John Cain Arena. The Sydney-born player, seeded for the first time after a successful 2024, including a Masters 1000 victory and a significant upset over Novak Djokovic at the US Open, found himself grappling with various physical ailments this summer.
During his match against Moutet, who Popyrin has dubbed his “Achilles heel” from a young age, the 25-year-old sought medical attention in the second set. Despite exhibiting fighting spirit and bolstered by the support of the home crowd, Popyrin admitted the performance was below his capabilities. Detailing his injuries, he mentioned the choice of playing through his discomfort, as he evaluated his next steps in the competitive season.
Popyrin, plagued by illness and an abdominal issue in the days leading to the match, chose not to attribute his disappointing play to these challenges. Instead, he emphasized the need to reassess and learn from his experiences as he aims for a recovery within weeks.
Moutet capitalized on Popyrin’s struggles to secure a second-round face-off against American qualifier Mitchell Krueger. Meanwhile, Popyrin looks forward to a period of reflection and recuperation, acknowledging the unexpected difficulties he faced early in 2025 after a year of tennis triumphs.