1 00:00:02,220 --> 00:00:04,680 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to The Sit Down. I'm Viv Christie, 2 00:00:04,740 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 3 00:00:06,910 --> 00:00:09,789 Speaker 2: And I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for ozopen.com. And Viv, 4 00:00:09,910 --> 00:00:12,430 Speaker 2: this week, why are we sitting down with Alexi Popperin? 5 00:00:12,869 --> 00:00:15,730 Speaker 1: Well, we are sitting down with Alexi because he is 6 00:00:15,870 --> 00:00:18,770 Speaker 1: riding an absolute high in his career at the moment. 7 00:00:18,930 --> 00:00:22,510 Speaker 1: He arrives at the US Open as a seated player 8 00:00:22,550 --> 00:00:24,910 Speaker 1: for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament on 9 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:28,980 Speaker 1: the back of his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal. 10 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 3: Yeah. 11 00:00:29,340 --> 00:00:31,570 Speaker 2: Yeah. Now, I actually didn't do this interview. It was 12 00:00:31,610 --> 00:00:34,550 Speaker 2: you and John Houvenas, host of the AO Show Weekly. 13 00:00:34,909 --> 00:00:37,110 Speaker 2: And you guys were lucky enough to catch Alexei early 14 00:00:37,250 --> 00:00:39,909 Speaker 2: Melbourne time from New York, which was really cool. And 15 00:00:39,950 --> 00:00:41,490 Speaker 2: it was just great to hear him talk about the 16 00:00:41,530 --> 00:00:43,449 Speaker 2: kind of place he's at in his career at the moment, 17 00:00:43,490 --> 00:00:46,370 Speaker 2: the wave of confidence he's riding and what might lie ahead. 18 00:00:49,860 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: Alexei, thank you for joining us today. 19 00:00:51,740 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, good to be here. Thank you. 20 00:00:53,980 --> 00:00:56,090 Speaker 1: We are talking to you in a what we would 21 00:00:56,130 --> 00:00:58,590 Speaker 1: have to describe as a career best season. You've had 22 00:00:58,670 --> 00:01:01,270 Speaker 1: a third round run at the Olympics, a series of 23 00:01:01,390 --> 00:01:05,670 Speaker 1: top 10 wins and a first ATP Masters 1000 title. 24 00:01:05,730 --> 00:01:07,780 Speaker 1: It must be feeling pretty good for you right now. 25 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:11,470 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's definitely feeling good. You know, I've had it, 26 00:01:12,060 --> 00:01:14,500 Speaker 3: I would say up to this point, a little up 27 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:18,840 Speaker 3: and down year, top six every year. But yeah, last 28 00:01:18,900 --> 00:01:21,170 Speaker 3: week really, really showed that I'm able to play at 29 00:01:21,270 --> 00:01:24,030 Speaker 3: that level and play consistently at that level, which is 30 00:01:24,620 --> 00:01:26,270 Speaker 3: You know, a testament to all the hard work we've 31 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:27,650 Speaker 3: done over the past two years. 32 00:01:27,990 --> 00:01:31,890 Speaker 4: An incredible run and some big performances within that Montreal 33 00:01:31,930 --> 00:01:37,610 Speaker 4: title with wins over Shelton, Dimitrov, Herkac, Korda and Rublev. 34 00:01:38,110 --> 00:01:41,350 Speaker 4: Tell me, first of all, about the personal significance of 35 00:01:41,630 --> 00:01:42,670 Speaker 4: this title win. 36 00:01:43,170 --> 00:01:47,550 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's definitely, it's massive for me. You know, I 37 00:01:47,590 --> 00:01:51,130 Speaker 3: don't think many players in their career go through their career, 38 00:01:51,150 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 3: you know, and win a Master 1000. And for me 39 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:57,340 Speaker 3: to be able to do that is honestly, it's a 40 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:00,750 Speaker 3: dream come true. But at the same time, you know, 41 00:02:00,790 --> 00:02:02,870 Speaker 3: the work doesn't stop here. You know, we still have 42 00:02:02,910 --> 00:02:04,910 Speaker 3: goals and we still have ambitions of our own as 43 00:02:04,930 --> 00:02:08,010 Speaker 3: a team where that's to where we want to get 44 00:02:08,070 --> 00:02:10,270 Speaker 3: to or how we want to play. And it's definitely 45 00:02:10,310 --> 00:02:12,070 Speaker 3: not the last master final that I want to play 46 00:02:12,130 --> 00:02:16,380 Speaker 3: in and try to win. So, you know, I've got 47 00:02:16,419 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 3: big ambitions and, you know, we were straight back to 48 00:02:19,180 --> 00:02:23,180 Speaker 3: work as soon as we were done. Fantastic attitude. 49 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 4: And I'm sure you would have seen some of the 50 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,930 Speaker 4: media coverage back home here in Australia where a lot 51 00:02:27,940 --> 00:02:30,470 Speaker 4: of the focus was on the historical significance. The first 52 00:02:30,510 --> 00:02:32,950 Speaker 4: Australian man in 21 years to win a title of 53 00:02:32,990 --> 00:02:36,950 Speaker 4: this magnitude. And of course, that was since Leighton Hewitt. 54 00:02:37,010 --> 00:02:39,570 Speaker 4: So what does it mean to you to have been 55 00:02:39,590 --> 00:02:42,410 Speaker 4: the first man in over two decades to replicate what 56 00:02:42,450 --> 00:02:43,870 Speaker 4: he did at Indian Wells in 2003? 57 00:02:43,870 --> 00:02:49,890 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's definitely an honour. You know, I think Leighton's 58 00:02:49,930 --> 00:02:53,090 Speaker 3: been a really big part of kind of my... my 59 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,889 Speaker 3: professional career, you know, as Davis Cup captain, as, you know, 60 00:02:57,110 --> 00:03:01,730 Speaker 3: he's kind of, you know, the kind of role model 61 00:03:01,770 --> 00:03:05,110 Speaker 3: leader that all us Aussie boys inside the top 100, 62 00:03:05,110 --> 00:03:07,790 Speaker 3: all Aussie tennis players kind of look to. And, you know, 63 00:03:07,830 --> 00:03:10,470 Speaker 3: he's really helped a lot throughout all of our careers. And, 64 00:03:11,070 --> 00:03:13,470 Speaker 3: you know, to have him by my side and kind of, 65 00:03:13,650 --> 00:03:15,970 Speaker 3: you know, kind of help me along the way is 66 00:03:16,090 --> 00:03:19,389 Speaker 3: really amazing. And for me to be able to, you know, 67 00:03:19,430 --> 00:03:21,530 Speaker 3: win this title and be the first since he did it, 68 00:03:22,490 --> 00:03:25,299 Speaker 3: is a true honour and definitely something I'm really proud of. 69 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,820 Speaker 1: Alexi, who else would you say has been influential in 70 00:03:29,139 --> 00:03:31,340 Speaker 1: your career so far? 71 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:34,020 Speaker 3: You know, I think my team right now that I have, 72 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:40,060 Speaker 3: my two coaches have been unbelievable for me. Neville Godwin 73 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 3: and Xavier Luis, I think those two, they came in 74 00:03:43,780 --> 00:03:46,010 Speaker 3: at around about the same time. Nev came in a 75 00:03:46,030 --> 00:03:50,130 Speaker 3: little bit later than Xavier. And, you know, they kind of, 76 00:03:51,230 --> 00:03:56,730 Speaker 3: flip my game upside down and kind of mentally help 77 00:03:56,770 --> 00:03:58,750 Speaker 3: me get back on the right track after my very 78 00:03:58,770 --> 00:04:05,130 Speaker 3: disappointing year in 2022. And also, you know, the team, 79 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,420 Speaker 3: the rest of the team that I've surrounded myself, Valentin, 80 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 3: my Shizio, Evan, my fitness coach who I recently hired, 81 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,420 Speaker 3: and I think he was kind of the missing piece 82 00:04:16,460 --> 00:04:19,520 Speaker 3: in the puzzle. You know, he's been unbelievable since he's 83 00:04:19,540 --> 00:04:21,900 Speaker 3: been on the team, kind of integrated. in straight away. 84 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 3: And also definitely, I can't, I can't forget my family, 85 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:28,580 Speaker 3: you know, the sacrifices that they've made for me and, 86 00:04:28,930 --> 00:04:31,150 Speaker 3: and my brother for our tennis careers, you know, they've, 87 00:04:31,670 --> 00:04:34,630 Speaker 3: they've really sacrificed so much, you know, leaving Australia at 88 00:04:34,650 --> 00:04:37,969 Speaker 3: a very early age and, and kind of focusing on 89 00:04:38,029 --> 00:04:41,740 Speaker 3: tennis and, and my, and my mom not missing a 90 00:04:41,779 --> 00:04:44,630 Speaker 3: match or practice, um, until I was about 21, 22 91 00:04:44,620 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 3: years old, which is amazing. And my dad, you know, 92 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 3: always finding a way to be able to pay for 93 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,779 Speaker 3: all of this because, you know, tennis isn't cheap at all. 94 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:59,419 Speaker 3: And it's definitely something that I'm eternally grateful for my 95 00:04:59,460 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: parents for. 96 00:05:00,500 --> 00:05:04,219 Speaker 4: A big rankings rise following that title. And that means 97 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 4: you'll be entering the US Open as a seed. Tell 98 00:05:07,670 --> 00:05:10,010 Speaker 4: me about what that does to your mindset, entering a 99 00:05:10,050 --> 00:05:13,010 Speaker 4: major as a seed, the good and the bad aspects. 100 00:05:13,990 --> 00:05:19,099 Speaker 3: I don't think that it's much different entering a tournament 101 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 3: as a seed or not as a seed you know 102 00:05:20,420 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 3: for me it's it's really important the process that we 103 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 3: kind of implement before the tournament and and during the 104 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:30,690 Speaker 3: tournament you know because it's it's it's there's no different 105 00:05:30,730 --> 00:05:32,510 Speaker 3: you know you go to every grand slam and you 106 00:05:32,550 --> 00:05:36,349 Speaker 3: try to win it and for me um that's always 107 00:05:36,390 --> 00:05:41,030 Speaker 3: been kind of my my idea i've always thought that 108 00:05:41,110 --> 00:05:44,090 Speaker 3: i i could go deep in slams and you know 109 00:05:44,110 --> 00:05:46,510 Speaker 3: i've think i've shown with consistent third round runs and 110 00:05:46,910 --> 00:05:49,150 Speaker 3: Haven't been able to kind of pass the third round hurdle, 111 00:05:49,170 --> 00:05:51,940 Speaker 3: which has been a shame. I've had some close matches 112 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 3: over the past few years. But, you know, for me, 113 00:05:55,070 --> 00:05:57,860 Speaker 3: it's not much changes. You know, the preparation is still 114 00:05:57,900 --> 00:05:59,700 Speaker 3: the same. The mentality is still the same. You go 115 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,700 Speaker 3: into every match trying to win it. And then we 116 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 3: see what comes, you know. 117 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 4: Last week on the podcast, we had Simon Ray from 118 00:06:07,300 --> 00:06:10,500 Speaker 4: the Game Insight Group. He did some analysis. on your 119 00:06:10,540 --> 00:06:14,740 Speaker 4: performances in Montreal and noticed that your return of serve 120 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,940 Speaker 4: numbers were just through the roof, growing exponentially throughout the 121 00:06:17,980 --> 00:06:21,650 Speaker 4: latter stages of that title. Have you been putting work 122 00:06:21,710 --> 00:06:25,110 Speaker 4: into that area of your game? If not, where have 123 00:06:25,150 --> 00:06:27,490 Speaker 4: you been focusing your attention this year? 124 00:06:27,510 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's definitely something that we've highlighted as a place 125 00:06:32,540 --> 00:06:37,140 Speaker 3: that we have to improve in. We have been putting work, 126 00:06:37,180 --> 00:06:40,170 Speaker 3: but not kind of... over the top work and all 127 00:06:40,190 --> 00:06:42,570 Speaker 3: we've been focusing on is our return. It's not that 128 00:06:42,610 --> 00:06:44,529 Speaker 3: kind of work, but there's been, there were a few, 129 00:06:44,550 --> 00:06:47,450 Speaker 3: you know, adjustments that we made. And also I feel 130 00:06:47,470 --> 00:06:50,850 Speaker 3: like this year I've been returning much better on the 131 00:06:50,870 --> 00:06:54,380 Speaker 3: faster surfaces for some reason. It's just sort of clicked 132 00:06:54,420 --> 00:06:56,540 Speaker 3: in my head a little bit since the start of 133 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,560 Speaker 3: the year, honestly. And, you know, that's something that comes 134 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 3: to you as a tennis player, just naturally, you know, 135 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:04,980 Speaker 3: it's just some things click unexplainably and, and you're able 136 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,980 Speaker 3: to return a little bit better or hit a 400 137 00:07:06,980 --> 00:07:09,490 Speaker 3: a little bit better or serve a little bit better. And, 138 00:07:10,530 --> 00:07:14,230 Speaker 3: you know, you try and understand those feelings and you 139 00:07:14,270 --> 00:07:16,810 Speaker 3: just roll with them, honestly. And that's what I've been 140 00:07:16,830 --> 00:07:19,150 Speaker 3: doing the last few months. And I feel like on 141 00:07:19,170 --> 00:07:21,630 Speaker 3: the grass I returned quite well. I was quite comfortable 142 00:07:21,650 --> 00:07:24,590 Speaker 3: returning on the grass and also, honestly, on the clay. 143 00:07:24,630 --> 00:07:28,890 Speaker 3: So for me, it's been a big improvement and it's 144 00:07:28,910 --> 00:07:33,210 Speaker 3: something that hopefully will continue improving. But, you know, we've 145 00:07:33,250 --> 00:07:36,420 Speaker 3: been working a lot on my serve, actually. That's probably 146 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,940 Speaker 3: been the main thing that we've been focusing on. I'm 147 00:07:38,980 --> 00:07:43,070 Speaker 3: trying to, trying to have a variety, variety on my serve. 148 00:07:43,090 --> 00:07:45,150 Speaker 3: You know, I'm able to serve, you know, a big 149 00:07:45,150 --> 00:07:47,790 Speaker 3: 230 kilometer an hour serve, but for me to be 150 00:07:47,850 --> 00:07:53,590 Speaker 3: able to change the pace, change the, change the direction, that's, 151 00:07:53,630 --> 00:07:55,770 Speaker 3: that's something that kind of, you know, it took me 152 00:07:55,810 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 3: a while to kind of grasp because, you know, when 153 00:07:58,740 --> 00:08:00,620 Speaker 3: you're able to serve big, you kind of just want 154 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:03,940 Speaker 3: to continue serving big, but it becomes quite easier to return, 155 00:08:03,980 --> 00:08:06,510 Speaker 3: believe it or not, because players get adjusted to it and, 156 00:08:07,140 --> 00:08:08,870 Speaker 3: they kind of start figuring out what you do. So 157 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,610 Speaker 3: if you start mixing it in, if you stop icing 158 00:08:11,670 --> 00:08:15,070 Speaker 3: a few kicks when they least expect it, then your 159 00:08:15,110 --> 00:08:18,130 Speaker 3: first big bomb becomes more effective. Great insights. 160 00:08:19,150 --> 00:08:23,050 Speaker 1: Alexei, you said that not much changes for you after 161 00:08:23,070 --> 00:08:27,150 Speaker 1: winning in Montreal, but what about the perspective and I 162 00:08:27,170 --> 00:08:30,210 Speaker 1: guess the confidence boost that you gained from beating such 163 00:08:30,270 --> 00:08:33,950 Speaker 1: a series of big names? And you also saved match 164 00:08:33,970 --> 00:08:35,809 Speaker 1: points against Dimitrov in that run. 165 00:08:36,700 --> 00:08:42,500 Speaker 3: Yeah, it definitely helps with the confidence. But I don't 166 00:08:42,620 --> 00:08:48,230 Speaker 3: think me beating one top 10 player is something new. 167 00:08:48,250 --> 00:08:49,709 Speaker 3: I've been able to do it in the past a 168 00:08:49,750 --> 00:08:53,090 Speaker 3: few times. But for me, the biggest thing that I 169 00:08:53,130 --> 00:08:57,030 Speaker 3: keep saying after that tournament is beating three of those 170 00:08:57,090 --> 00:09:00,180 Speaker 3: top 10 players and five top 20 players all in 171 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 3: one week. That kind of consistency... It doesn't come easy, 172 00:09:04,420 --> 00:09:07,819 Speaker 3: and it's not something that I've been able to do 173 00:09:07,860 --> 00:09:09,620 Speaker 3: in my career, and that was kind of the first 174 00:09:09,700 --> 00:09:11,540 Speaker 3: week where I was able to put a string of 175 00:09:12,340 --> 00:09:16,780 Speaker 3: six matches against high-quality opponents and beat them. So for me, 176 00:09:16,950 --> 00:09:21,150 Speaker 3: that's the most pleasing thing, and that's the thing that 177 00:09:21,429 --> 00:09:22,929 Speaker 3: builds the most confidence in me. 178 00:09:23,970 --> 00:09:27,650 Speaker 1: How much inspiration did you take from your Olympics experience? 179 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,660 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's been, there was a lot of inspiration, honestly, 180 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:33,910 Speaker 3: you know, seeing other athletes, seeing other, you know, the 181 00:09:33,950 --> 00:09:36,910 Speaker 3: best athletes in the world and their respective sports, you know, 182 00:09:36,950 --> 00:09:40,730 Speaker 3: seeing how they go about their business, you know, kind 183 00:09:40,750 --> 00:09:42,770 Speaker 3: of gives you a lot of insight as to how 184 00:09:42,830 --> 00:09:45,100 Speaker 3: you should be going about your business. And, you know, 185 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,059 Speaker 3: it just showed me that what I've been doing was 186 00:09:47,100 --> 00:09:49,179 Speaker 3: kind of the right thing as all athletes, you know, 187 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 3: are super focused on their nutrition, super focused on their 188 00:09:52,500 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 3: gym work and, you know, they go and do their 189 00:09:54,500 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 3: own stuff. But off the court, you know, they're amazing 190 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:01,380 Speaker 3: human beings. And, you know, I think it's, I think 191 00:10:01,420 --> 00:10:05,500 Speaker 3: that just, you know, highlighted the fact that, you know, 192 00:10:05,580 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 3: what I was doing was the right path and the 193 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:09,830 Speaker 3: right way and that I just had to stick with it. 194 00:10:09,860 --> 00:10:12,750 Speaker 3: And one of these days it would click and, you know, 195 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:16,410 Speaker 3: that's something that, you know, being in that Olympic village, 196 00:10:16,429 --> 00:10:20,010 Speaker 3: seeing other athletes, seeing how they worked. Yeah, highlight that. 197 00:10:21,140 --> 00:10:25,570 Speaker 1: Watching from afar, it always does seem like there's such 198 00:10:25,590 --> 00:10:29,689 Speaker 1: a great team spirit among the Australian players. Does it 199 00:10:29,730 --> 00:10:32,150 Speaker 1: help to spend time with the likes of Leighton and 200 00:10:32,670 --> 00:10:34,910 Speaker 1: obviously your friends with Alex and other players? 201 00:10:35,790 --> 00:10:39,300 Speaker 3: Yeah, it definitely does for sure. I think us as 202 00:10:39,340 --> 00:10:43,020 Speaker 3: a Davis Cup squad, we've made back-to-back Davis Cup finals 203 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:46,420 Speaker 3: and that wouldn't come if we didn't get along as 204 00:10:46,490 --> 00:10:50,410 Speaker 3: a squad. as players and also the boys that haven't 205 00:10:50,429 --> 00:10:52,940 Speaker 3: been on the Davis Cup squad, you know, like Vuk, Oaks, 206 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 3: you know, Rinky, you know, all of those guys, we 207 00:10:58,059 --> 00:11:00,100 Speaker 3: all get along super well, you know, we all go, 208 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 3: we try and get a round of golf in every 209 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 3: now and then, you know, me and Damon have been 210 00:11:04,860 --> 00:11:07,679 Speaker 3: close since we've been kids, you know, and we've kind 211 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:12,380 Speaker 3: of been pushing each other to higher standards and to 212 00:11:12,420 --> 00:11:16,370 Speaker 3: kind of improve in our game and That's kind of 213 00:11:16,410 --> 00:11:20,230 Speaker 3: the competitiveness that you want in tennis and in sport. And, 214 00:11:20,450 --> 00:11:23,670 Speaker 3: you know, I think having so many players inside the 215 00:11:23,710 --> 00:11:25,530 Speaker 3: top 100 now, seeing them. 216 00:11:25,450 --> 00:11:32,099 Speaker 5: Weak and helping them and kind of practicing together and 217 00:11:32,140 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 5: helping each other, you know, not many countries have this 218 00:11:35,059 --> 00:11:37,060 Speaker 5: and we're super lucky to have it and we definitely. 219 00:11:36,860 --> 00:11:37,700 Speaker 3: Don't take it for granted. 220 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: And, you know, obviously the odd round of golf here 221 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:43,839 Speaker 1: and there, what else are you doing off court to 222 00:11:44,020 --> 00:11:45,719 Speaker 1: decompress away from tennis? 223 00:11:47,030 --> 00:11:51,750 Speaker 3: Um, honestly, a lot of it is golf. Um, I just, 224 00:11:51,950 --> 00:11:56,250 Speaker 3: I love my golf, um, because yeah, I, I, to 225 00:11:56,270 --> 00:11:58,170 Speaker 3: be honest, I traveled with my golf clubs to some 226 00:11:58,290 --> 00:12:00,929 Speaker 3: places to, to be able to play golf, to be 227 00:12:00,990 --> 00:12:05,819 Speaker 3: able to play golf. Well, um, you know, uh, yeah. And, and, 228 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:09,900 Speaker 3: you know, I like to spend time with Sam, um, 229 00:12:10,020 --> 00:12:13,350 Speaker 3: but a lot of the time, I just really enjoy 230 00:12:13,380 --> 00:12:16,650 Speaker 3: playing golf and spending time with my girlfriend off the court. 231 00:12:16,690 --> 00:12:18,550 Speaker 3: We like to go to some plays here and there. 232 00:12:18,590 --> 00:12:24,459 Speaker 3: We like to go to dinner together. I have a 233 00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:26,740 Speaker 3: few things that I like to do. Sometimes when I 234 00:12:26,780 --> 00:12:31,200 Speaker 3: feel like it, I like to play some PlayStation. That's 235 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:31,559 Speaker 3: about it. 236 00:12:32,140 --> 00:12:35,140 Speaker 1: We know that you're famously close to your family, as 237 00:12:35,179 --> 00:12:38,690 Speaker 1: you mentioned earlier. What was their reaction after your win 238 00:12:38,730 --> 00:12:39,410 Speaker 1: in Montreal? 239 00:12:40,350 --> 00:12:44,110 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was amazing. I think I called them as 240 00:12:44,130 --> 00:12:46,410 Speaker 3: soon as I got into the gym and called my 241 00:12:46,429 --> 00:12:50,170 Speaker 3: girlfriend and added my family to the chat and to 242 00:12:50,210 --> 00:12:54,970 Speaker 3: the call. And yeah, there were tears flowing. There was 243 00:12:55,010 --> 00:13:00,390 Speaker 3: a lot of congratulations and super proud. And sometimes my 244 00:13:00,410 --> 00:13:04,110 Speaker 3: parents can get a little bit ahead of themselves and say, 245 00:13:04,130 --> 00:13:07,390 Speaker 3: you know, go win the slab now. And I'm trying 246 00:13:07,410 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 3: to tell them, you know, just take it easy. Let's 247 00:13:09,290 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 3: enjoy this all. one first and then and then we'll 248 00:13:11,900 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 3: think about the rest so um yeah but honestly they 249 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:18,020 Speaker 3: they everybody was just super proud and you know they 250 00:13:18,059 --> 00:13:19,580 Speaker 3: know that i wouldn't be able to do this without 251 00:13:19,620 --> 00:13:22,740 Speaker 3: them and i'm eternally grateful to them alexi if you. 252 00:13:22,660 --> 00:13:24,380 Speaker 4: Can take your mind back to the start of the 253 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 4: year a lot of players i guess cast their goals 254 00:13:27,780 --> 00:13:29,590 Speaker 4: for the year can you tell us what your goals 255 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:32,990 Speaker 4: were at the beginning of 2024 and how they've changed 256 00:13:33,070 --> 00:13:35,570 Speaker 4: now that you've got this masters 1000 title under your 257 00:13:35,590 --> 00:13:36,890 Speaker 4: belt Um, you. 258 00:13:36,850 --> 00:13:39,050 Speaker 3: Know, I think in terms of goals, I don't really 259 00:13:39,110 --> 00:13:42,720 Speaker 3: set myself goals. Um, I like to go by the, 260 00:13:43,010 --> 00:13:44,860 Speaker 3: you know, the day to day work, the goals of 261 00:13:44,900 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 3: the court and practice and how we, and how we 262 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,860 Speaker 3: practice and how we go about our business. Uh, um, 263 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 3: that for me is the most important thing and, and 264 00:13:53,820 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 3: the ranking and the results will naturally come if you're 265 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 3: able to do it consistently. So for me, it's, that's 266 00:14:01,260 --> 00:14:04,830 Speaker 3: a huge part of, of the process. Um, And goals 267 00:14:04,890 --> 00:14:06,570 Speaker 3: is not really a big thing for me. I really 268 00:14:06,590 --> 00:14:09,850 Speaker 3: don't like setting ranking goals or tournament goals or any 269 00:14:09,870 --> 00:14:13,390 Speaker 3: of that stuff because, for me, it puts my mind 270 00:14:13,410 --> 00:14:17,900 Speaker 3: only focused on that. And for me, that's not the 271 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:18,670 Speaker 3: way to go about it. 272 00:14:19,260 --> 00:14:21,540 Speaker 1: What are you most looking forward to over the next 273 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 1: few months? 274 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:27,300 Speaker 3: I know it's getting a little bit old, but just 275 00:14:27,340 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 3: the process, honestly. Just the constant work off the court. 276 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:35,160 Speaker 3: For me, that's the most enjoyable thing, you know, going 277 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,460 Speaker 3: to the gym, practicing on court with my team, spending 278 00:14:37,700 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 3: some time with my team, you know, on and off 279 00:14:40,020 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 3: the court. You know, for me, that's the thing that 280 00:14:42,660 --> 00:14:45,940 Speaker 3: I look to the most. And for me, you know, 281 00:14:46,020 --> 00:14:48,220 Speaker 3: the confidence that I have right now, I was telling 282 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:51,060 Speaker 3: my team the other day that, you know, it's so 283 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:54,700 Speaker 3: amazing to be able to play tennis when you're high 284 00:14:54,740 --> 00:15:00,370 Speaker 3: on confidence because I've been really low in confidence and 285 00:15:01,460 --> 00:15:04,140 Speaker 3: that's really not enjoyable at all. But to be able 286 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:06,420 Speaker 3: to step on court and feel like you're able to 287 00:15:06,500 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 3: produce any shot or do anything, that's a feeling that 288 00:15:10,110 --> 00:15:13,310 Speaker 3: you try and keep forever. And that's a feeling that 289 00:15:13,330 --> 00:15:15,150 Speaker 3: I'll be trying to keep for a very long time 290 00:15:15,870 --> 00:15:17,850 Speaker 3: just to play in confidence because, you know, these guys 291 00:15:17,890 --> 00:15:20,970 Speaker 3: inside the top 10, top five, you know, I think 292 00:15:20,990 --> 00:15:23,590 Speaker 3: they constantly, nearly week in, week out, play with confidence 293 00:15:23,630 --> 00:15:26,790 Speaker 3: and they can produce the kind of shots and tennis 294 00:15:26,830 --> 00:15:31,060 Speaker 3: that they're producing week in, week out. And that's something, 295 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 3: you know, you take one week of Montreal, you feel 296 00:15:33,220 --> 00:15:36,180 Speaker 3: like that confidence flowing. You want it to proceed into 297 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:40,190 Speaker 3: the next week. And that's something that I'm looking forward to. 298 00:15:40,230 --> 00:15:42,070 Speaker 3: Hopefully I can continue that confidence going. 299 00:15:42,490 --> 00:15:44,770 Speaker 1: Well, it sounds like you are enjoying your tennis a 300 00:15:44,790 --> 00:15:47,290 Speaker 1: lot and we are certainly enjoying watching you as well. 301 00:15:47,790 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 3: Thank you very much. Yeah, it's definitely fun playing tennis 302 00:15:49,980 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 3: right now. 303 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,730 Speaker 2: Well, Viv, that was a great chat. Congratulations. I really 304 00:15:56,790 --> 00:15:59,350 Speaker 2: enjoyed the note that that interview finished on. I'm really 305 00:15:59,410 --> 00:16:03,090 Speaker 2: enjoying playing my tennis. You can just hear that Alexi 306 00:16:03,150 --> 00:16:04,830 Speaker 2: and all the work he's doing, the team he's got 307 00:16:04,870 --> 00:16:07,330 Speaker 2: around him and the momentum he's built, he's really enjoying 308 00:16:07,390 --> 00:16:09,550 Speaker 2: riding that wave. And it sounds like he's very excited 309 00:16:09,590 --> 00:16:12,290 Speaker 2: to see where his career might go from here. So 310 00:16:12,310 --> 00:16:14,570 Speaker 2: I think US Open could be really interesting. 311 00:16:14,930 --> 00:16:17,590 Speaker 1: Yeah, thank you, Matt. It was really great to catch 312 00:16:17,670 --> 00:16:21,050 Speaker 1: up with Alexi. And he is obviously in a really 313 00:16:21,090 --> 00:16:24,470 Speaker 1: great spot at the moment. He's enjoying his tennis. He's 314 00:16:24,500 --> 00:16:26,910 Speaker 1: feeling a real sense of belonging, I think, after such 315 00:16:26,950 --> 00:16:30,050 Speaker 1: a series of great wins in Montreal. And yeah, I'm 316 00:16:30,150 --> 00:16:32,050 Speaker 1: equally excited to see what he does next. 317 00:16:32,270 --> 00:16:32,490 Speaker 2: Yeah. 318 00:16:32,830 --> 00:16:35,550 Speaker 1: We'll be back next week with another episode of Sit Down. 319 00:16:35,630 --> 00:16:37,300 Speaker 1: And in the meantime, you can tune in to John 320 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: and the team on the AO Show Weekly on Thursday. 321 00:16:39,980 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 2: Details for how to contact us are in the show 322 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:44,760 Speaker 2: notes below. And please remember to subscribe, rate and review. 323 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:45,820 Speaker 2: We'll see you next week, Viv. 324 00:16:46,060 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 1: Look forward to it, Matt.