Australian tennis star Alexei Popyrin, ranked world No. 22, followed compatriot Alex de Minaur’s lead by announcing a courageous yet emotional decision to take a break from tennis to prioritize his mental and physical health after a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 on July 1. Popyrin, seeded No. 20, suffered a 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-4 defeat to British wildcard Arthur Fery, ranked No. 245, on Court 16, marking his earliest Wimbledon exit since 2022, per *Yahoo Sports* (). In a candid post-match press conference, Popyrin admitted to feeling “numb” and “demotivated,” revealing the toll of a grueling 18 months that included 14 losses in 26 matches in 2025, despite notable wins over Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, and Casper Ruud, per *Yahoo Sports* ().[](https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-tennis-player-follows-alex-de-minaurs-lead-with-brave-and-sad-decision-after-wimbledon-031723163.html)[]
“I have to not see a tennis court or a tennis racquet for a little bit,” Popyrin told reporters, per *Yahoo Sports* (). “After today’s match, I just felt numb — I didn’t feel sad, I didn’t feel happy, I just felt numb.” He acknowledged “sugar-coating” his mental state before Wimbledon but called the loss a “wake-up call,” emphasizing the need to “prioritize mental health” to regain motivation for the American swing, per *Yahoo Sports* (). This mirrors de Minaur’s decision to step away after a “mentally drained” French Open exit in June 2025, skipping the Netherlands to recharge, which led to a strong Wimbledon start with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 win over Roberto Carballes Baena, per *The Age*.
Popyrin’s struggles contrast with his highs, like reaching the 2024 US Open fourth round and defeating top players, but his 0-3 Wimbledon record in 2025 and physical fatigue—evident in his 28 unforced errors against Fery—underscored his need for a break, per *The Athletic*. Fans on X, like @RandSNewsfeed, praised his honesty, noting, “Popyrin’s break is a bold move for mental health,” while @TennisAustralia lauded his potential to rebound. As Popyrin aims to rediscover his spark, his decision echoes a growing trend among players like de Minaur, prioritizing well-being over immediate competition.
