Max Purcell, an Australian tennis player, has a fearless attitude and is paving his own path in the sport, stating “I can play at the same level as the top players.”

This was the defining moment for the unconventional rising star in Australian tennis.

Max Purcell, who was previously ranked around No. 300, impressively won the first set of his quarter-final match against former world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz at the Cincinnati Masters in August.

As predicted, the Spanish player played exceptionally well in the second set and managed to break the Australian player’s serve early in the third set, taking a commanding 2-0 lead. However, the 25-year-old surprised the Ohio audience with his vintage serve-and-volley style and was able to break back.

Purcell remained determined until the end, exchanging points with Alcaraz, who is considered the future of tennis after Djokovic. In the end, Purcell missed his opportunity to break back and lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Purcell expressed his disappointment in losing because it is rare to have opportunities to win against the world’s top-ranked player in the third set. He made this statement in anticipation of the upcoming Australian Open.

“I was excited about the five previous matches, successfully overcoming them and demonstrating my strength and ability to compete with top players. Additionally, I was able to shake things up by adopting a unique game style that threw off my opponents.”

As a child, Purcell would often accompany his older sister and twin brother to the courts on Sydney’s northern beaches. However, his primary focus was on catching lizards. Eventually, he developed a passion for tennis and his skill has led him to reach the top 50 on the ATP tour. In just one year, he climbed an impressive 168 spots in the rankings in 2023.

However, the path taken by the 25-year-old has not been typical. Purcell first gained recognition in the doubles circuit, achieving victory at Wimbledon in 2022 with fellow Australian Matt Ebden. He still prioritizes watching doubles matches over singles matches, stating that there is more diversity and faster gameplay.

He has been very vocal. In 2022, he had a brief conflict with Nick Kyrgios and claimed that Lleyton Hewitt lacked the courage to personally inform Purcell that he did not receive a wildcard for the Australian Open. “Lleyton and I have since resolved our differences,” he states.

Throughout everything, he has depended on one of the more unconventional playing techniques of the current day.

He claims that approximately 80% of the tour players are “cookie-cutter,” meaning their techniques may appear unique, but their patterns and ball speeds are fairly alike.

By 2024, most players utilize strong and practiced top-spin ground strokes to dominate points from the back of the court. They are confident that their returns and passes will deter opponents who prefer to mix up their strategies.

Purcell acknowledges that his abilities in the back of the court may not be significant, as there are many other skilled players. However, he believes that his strengths in approaching the net, using a slice shot, and having good hand-eye coordination should be utilized. It would be foolish not to take advantage of these options.

Purcell has not only perfected his preferred slice backhand, but has also honed a dependable forehand slice that he confidently utilizes as an offensive tool. With years of experience playing doubles at a high level, he possesses the finesse and precision necessary to succeed at the net.

Over the past year, he has achieved a 72.4% success rate on his first service points, which is comparable to other top 10 players such as Holger Rune, Tommy Paul, and Casper Ruud (whom Purcell defeated in his Cincinnati match), as well as Alcaraz.

However, the Australian player is aware that he cannot constantly serve and volley. This strategy is better suited for courts with smoother surfaces, faster balls, and opponents who tend to play defensively on their returns.

He states, “I enjoy doing it regardless of the surface and balls used.” However, it may not always be successful 70 to 100% of the time, and instead only 20% of the time.

Regardless of the circumstances, Purcell appreciates how his strategy forces his adversaries to step up their game. According to him, a 20% success rate when returning against an opponent actually feels more significant than just 20%. This is particularly effective against players who tend to stay back or take a less aggressive approach on returns. He considers it a smart move.

After six years of winning his first professional tournament, Purcell has finally found a successful approach on and off the court, helping him excel in competitions.

Purcell has no intention of going back to Australia during the middle of the 2024 season. Instead, he wants to concentrate on preparing in a schedule that works well with his playing style. He also recognizes the importance of listening to his body and taking breaks when necessary. In terms of his mental state, he believes he has made progress, especially in light of the reaction to his remarks about Hewitt.

“I believe my thoughts are acceptable, but they should remain private in my mind. I realize that I need to continue pushing forward and accept it as part of my journey,” he expresses. “When I think about it, there are countless players who don’t even have a chance to showcase their abilities. I may have been unappreciative of what I received or didn’t receive.”

However, on the court, the newcomer does not hesitate to challenge even tennis legends like Alcaraz.

During an interview following their August match, Purcell noticed that people inquired about what the player disliked about tennis. To this, the player responded with “serve-and-volley,” causing Purcell to chuckle.

• The first round of the Australian Open starts on Sunday, January 14th at Melbourne Park.

Source: theguardian.com