‘That’s not the way to go’: Alexei Popyrin reveals star mentor’s guidance

The Aussie tennis star shared a key piece of advice given to him at an under-10s match by Thanasi Kokkinakis’ former coach.

Australia‘s Alexei Popyrin has revealed the crucial childhood advice he received at an under-10s match from fellow tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis’ former coach.

Speaking to news.com.au at Red Bull’s Bassline tournament, Popyrin said that the star’s previous coach is “the one that actually helped my parents guide me to the right decisions”.

Popyrin recalls “rocking up” to an under-10s tournament just 15 minutes before the match, leaving no time to warm up or prepare.

“Kokk’s coach told my parents, ‘That’s not the way to go’,” he said.

Alexei Popyrin of Australia plays a forehand against Fabian Marozsan of Hungary during their Red Bull Bassline match ahead of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 07. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Both stars are part of a new wave of Australian tennis players making their mark on the global stage.

Popyrin said his relationship with Alex de Minaur, another Aussie peer, is that of a “twin brother”.

“Me and Demon are the same age, we’ve grown up together. We’ve gone up through the ranks together. And, you know, we even lived in the same city for a few years,” he added.

Three men’s local hopes will be seeded for the first time in 43 years as Popyrin and De Minaur, alongside Jordan Thompson, will play on courts in Melbourne Park on Thursday.

Popyrin said he “hopes to get to the second round”.

“I’ll take it all one match at a time, because for me, I don’t like putting goals, like for myself, or ranking goals, tournament goals, or anything like that.

“I take it one match at a time, and let the practice that I do off the court, on the match court, do the talking for itself when it comes down to playing matches.

“And I think that has worked well for me over the last couple of years, this mentality that I’ve had and that I’ll continue to have,” he said.

Aside from his stellar professional season, Popyrin has reason for celebration in his personal life too. Picture: Instagram

Besides coming off a career best season, Popyrin has recently had reason for celebration in his personal life too.

In November 2024, he proposed to long-time partner Amy Pederick, with the newly-engaged couple sharing pictures from an unspecified tropical location.

“Ever since I started dating Amy I knew that she was the one for me, so, you know, I decided to put a ring on it, and just make it official,” he said.

Pedrick is a physiotherapist, though the sports star says their personal and professional lives remain separate.

”She’s always been there as a supporter, and there as a rock that I can kind of lean into, not as a professional.”

Originally published as ‘That’s not the way to go’: Alexei Popyrin reveals star mentor’s guidance