AO

After blazing starts to the 2023 season, Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis are determined to maintain momentum at the Australian Open.

“Last year I was trying to kind of combat the crowd a little bit by kind of being relaxed and try to focus on myself. “At least I think I know what to expect this time around. “I want to reach my career high again. “I still wouldn’t have changed it for anything, winning that title last year in Adelaide,” he added. At the start of the year, it’s really important to have that confidence.” “I feel like I’m in a good space right now. “Last year for me was a big learning curve. Popyrin, currently ranked world No.113, has won seven of his past nine matches, including four in a row to start this year. “I’ve played three five-setters in two years on that court. “This year I come in a little fresher, with a couple more days up my sleeve to get used to it.” “But it’s something that happened and something I have to learn from, which I think I have done. “With the home crowd, the atmosphere that I play with, especially the last two years, I think Court 3, the atmosphere on that court is really amazing.