Arabic version: بوبيرين يسعى إلى إعادة ضبط ذهني قبل بطولة أمريكا المفتوحة
According to ABC News, Australia’s Alexei Popyrin is working with mindset coach Emma Murray before his US Open campaign after a difficult period that saw his world ranking fall as low as 139 last month. Popyrin has received a wildcard for the New York grand slam and will face former US Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov, a 2026 qualifier, in the first round at Flushing Meadows.
Popyrin, 27, defeated Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open but has since struggled with the pressure of trying to regain his former level. The one-time world number 19 said he became fixated on the feeling of career-high rankings and performances, describing the pursuit as an “unhealthy obsession” that created a negative balance between him and tennis.
The former French Open junior champion took a mental-health break after Wimbledon last year and needed another reset after losing in straight sets to Jiri Lehecka in the first round at the All England Club six weeks ago. Popyrin said he had reached a point where he feared his tennis struggles would prevent him from enjoying his wedding next month.
Murray, who works with Formula One driver Oscar Piastri, has been helping Popyrin change how he views results and his own wellbeing. He said the work remains in progress and will not be resolved in one or two weeks. Popyrin has kept the same team and said he believes the changes he needs are mental, while aiming to trust the process and rebuild from where he is.
