Alexei Popyrin has emerged from the 2025 doldrums with a new mindset to tackle the Australian Open after finding a renewed confidence in his physical and mental capacities.
Popyrin landed in Brisbane from Dubai at midnight and was on court at 8.30am on Tuesday with a spring in his step.
The former world no.19 is already speaking about 2026 as though it has arrived, having endured a challenging year in which a shock opening round Wimbledon loss to world no.461 Arthur Fery proved a low point.
A two-month layoff with a back injury, combined with a jaded mindset from touring, had Popyrin in a slump that he knew he needed to get out of.
"It started off at Wimbledon. I went through a little bit of a down patch there and took my mind off things for a couple of weeks and came back feeling good," the 26-year-old said.
"Then I got injured after that and got kicked back down. When I came back from injury I wasn't enjoying travelling and wanted to stay home. I had to push myself to go out and travel.
"I spoke to my team after the season finished and said next year I wanted to do things a bit different and enjoy my time when I am travelling and do stuff off the court more that I enjoy and then focus when I am on site.
"I am feeling really good.
"I think this is the last time I will talk about last year. From now on I look forward to what is to come. I just want to forget about last year and try and get that new mindset going."
When the season finished, the world no.54 returned to where he lives in Dubai for an extended break of two months then pre-season training.
"This was the longest time I have spent at home since COVID," he said, adding he felt refreshed, positive and excited for 2026.
"I was able to get some of my fiance's family over for Christmas and it was just great spending time at home. I feel completely different to how I felt coming into Brisbane last year.
"As long as my mind is up to it then I feel like I have got the level to be where I want to be.
"I am just trying to enjoy everything I am doing off the court and on the court. I am having a different kind of mindset to what I had."
Popyrin's sister and her children are with him in Brisbane. It is all part of the Australian's determination to have the family support around that he said tennis players often lack.
The Australian Open looms large on his calendar but a strong showing at the Brisbane International, running January 4-11, is the immediate priority.
"The first match will be tough. There will be a lot of nerves and some expectations from myself, my team and the public," he said.
"I just want to get through that first match if I am able to and hopefully kick off from there.
"It is still home, Australia. Every time I come back it still feels like the place I grew up and where I call home. Dubai is just where my house is and where my family is."
