‘It’s only a matter of time’: Popyrin upbeat after loss

Steve Larkin | January 12, 2026

Australia’s Alexei Popyrin says he won’t reach for the panic button despite consecutive first-round exits to start his new tennis year.

Red-hot American Reilly Opelka outgunned Popyrin, pounding 22 aces in his 6-3 7-6 (8-6) triumph on Monday’s opening day of the Adelaide International.

Popyrin entered Adelaide after a first-round loss at the Brisbane International to French qualifier Quentin Halys.

That defeat followed a disappointing 2025 – when his world ranking dipped from a career-high 19th last August to 54th by year’s end – amid a back injury that resulted in a two-month layoff and a mindset wearied from travelling.

Popyrin, now the world No.49, hoped the fresh year would bring a change of fortunes.

But he’s adamant the early signs aren’t all doom and gloom ahead of the Australian Open starting on Sunday in Melbourne.

“If you look at the last two matches that I played … Reilly played pretty well, served pretty well, and there was not much I could do,” he said.

“Last week, I think Quentin played one of the best matches that I’ve seen him play – the level from my side was really high.

“Everything that we’ve been doing is good and it’s working. It might not be showing in the first two weeks of the year but I’m looking forward to the AO. I think I can do some stuff there.”

Popyrin declined to define “some stuff”, but remained bullish.

“Physically, mentally, I’m feeling the best I have felt in a long time,” he said.

“I’m just trying to enjoy travelling again, enjoy my time off the court with loved ones, do some stuff that I love.

“Last year I didn’t quite enjoy travelling, enjoy my time. And that affected the way I prepared for tournaments and the way I was practising – I didn’t have the best mentality and then it translated into matches.

“This year, I’ve been practising really well, we have all been really, really positive in the camp. I think it’s only a matter of time before results will come.”

The 26-year-old was overpowered by the big-serving Opelka, who set up a second-round match against countryman and second seed Tommy Paul.

Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis will play his first singles match in almost a year on Monday night, against American Sebastain Korda.

Kokkinakis had surgery to repair a pectoral muscle after a first-round loss in the Australian Open on January 15 last year.