Powerful Australian Alexei Popyrin cut a dejected figure at Wimbledon late on Saturday night after falling short of upsetting Novak Djokovic but is eyeing off a swift return to centre stage at the Paris Olympics later this month.
Having finally grasped the subtleties required to succeed on grass, with the 24-year-old’s movement and balance on grass far superior this year, he is taking a step back to clay.
A former Roland Garros boys champion, Popyrin cannot wait to represent his nation in the Paris Olympics and said earning a spot in the team had filled his family with immense pride.
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“It means a lot. It’s an amazing opportunity and it’s an honour for me and it’s an honour for my family to have our name in the Olympics,” he said.
“I’m going to go out there and give it my all, like I do every match, but I think the Olympics has an extra something to it because you are not only fighting for yourself, you’re fighting for your whole country.
“You’re trying to win medal for your country and that’s something that you can’t replicate anywhere else, so it is a huge honour and I cannot wait.”
Popyrin, who will move to a ranking in the low 40s after Wimbledon is completed, will partner Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur in doubles and believes they are a legitimate medal chance.
The two have much in common, having both left Australia during primary school to base themselves in Europe, with Popyrin arriving in Spain after a period in Dubai.
The duo partnered with each other in junior Davis Cup ties for Australia — they were in the Finals in 2015 — and have progressed to the senior team which were finalists last November when beaten by Italy in Spain.
Although beaten in the two Masters series doubles matches they have played this year in Madrid and Rome, they snared a set in both encounters and Popyrin said they pair well together.
“We actually played an under-14 tournament together and I think we played Davis Cup juniors a lot of times, so we’ve played a lot of doubles,” he said.
“This year we’ve managed to win a set in both of our matches. I enjoy stepping on the court out there with him and I think we’re really good mates and we suit each other’s game really well.
“We just have to find a few tricks here and there and then, I think, maybe we’ve got a pretty good chance (of a medal). I feel comfortable out there with him, to be honest.”
Joining de Minaur and Popyrin in the Australian team are Ajla Tomljanovic, Rinky Hijikata, Ellen Perez, Daria Saville, Matt Ebden and John Peers, with the Australian No. 1 saying he cannot wait to play on Paris again after reaching the French Open quarterfinals.
“It feels great. It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to be an Olympian. I’m super excited to be able to represent the green and gold in Paris,” De Minaur said.
“It’s going to be extra special, that’s for sure, to play my first Olympic Games. Obviously last time around I got a little bit unlucky to not be able to be in Tokyo and I’ve had my eye set on Paris and I’m super excited to be a part of the team.”