Tennis Star Opens Up on Mental Health After Career Slump

When Alexei Popyrin realized he might not even enjoy his own wedding because of his tennis struggles, he knew something had to change.

The Australian tennis star went from beating Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open to needing a wildcard just to enter this year's tournament. After dropping from 19th to 139th in world rankings, the 27-year-old turned to Emma Murray, the mindset coach who works with F1 driver Oscar Piastri.

"After Wimbledon, I was a wreck," Popyrin admitted in a candid interview. "Every time I lose, I think I don't deserve to have fun. I think I don't deserve to be happy."

His breaking point came when he worried his tennis struggles would ruin his upcoming wedding celebration. That thought made him realize he needed professional help to separate his self-worth from his performance on court.

Popyrin describes his mental state as an "unhealthy obsession" with recapturing his career-high rankings. The constant searching for that feeling created what he calls a "really negative and bad balance" with tennis that became the main reason for his poor results.

Why This Inspires

Popyrin's vulnerability shows the human side of professional sports that fans rarely see. Top athletes often struggle to admit when mental health challenges are holding them back, making his openness a powerful example for others facing similar battles.

His willingness to seek help also breaks down stigma around mental health support in competitive sports. By working with Murray, he's joining a growing number of elite athletes who recognize that mental fitness matters just as much as physical training.

Working with Murray for just a few weeks, Popyrin is already shifting his perspective. He's learning to view his career as a journey rather than a series of wins and losses that define his worth as a person.

"I'm trying to not associate my results with how I feel as a person," he explained. The former French Open junior champion believes his struggles are mental, not physical, and solving them could push him beyond his previous achievements.

He faces former US Open semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov in the first round at Flushing Meadows, ready to start rebuilding from scratch with his same trusted team by his side.

Popyrin's honest message reminds us that asking for help isn't weakness, it's the bravest step toward getting better.