Alexei Popyrin's telling moment for girlfriend after historic title as $1.6 million detail comes to light

Alexei Popyrin has admitted his shock having won the biggest title of his career without his girlfriend in attendance at the final. Popyrin achieved what no other current Aussie male singles player has done after he won a Masters 1000 tennis event following his victory over World No.6 Andrey Rublev at the Canadian Open.

Popyrin defeated the Russian 6-2, 6-4 to become the first Aussie man since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to win a Masters event. Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios have not been able to achieve the feat yet, despite winning a number of tennis titles throughout their careers.

Popyrin was thrilled to have carved out a slice of Aussie tennis history and he fell to the floor after his victory. The 25-year-old thanked a number of those close to him after the maiden 1000 title in a lovely post-match moment. "It means so much. It means the world," Popyrin said.

"All the hard work that I've put in over the last few years. All the sacrifices that I've made, not just me but my family, my girlfriend, my team, everybody around me. They've just like sacrificed their lives for me and for me to win this for them is just amazing."

He also thanked his girlfriend Amy Pederick for her support throughout his career. Unfortunately, Popyrin admitted Pederick wasn't able to attend the Canadian Open. This was rare for the couple and it was a shame Popyrin's biggest victory came without her present.

"This is one of the few weeks where my girlfriend isn't travelling with me...and I win the tournament," Popyrin said with a smile. "I hope she comes to New York now." Pederick did send her congratulations to her partner through social media as she praised his amazing feat. Popyrin is hoping the allure of the US Open might be enough for Pederick to join him in New York as he looks to carry his excellent hard court form into the final grand slam of the year.

While it was a shame Popyrin wasn't able to win the biggest title of his career in front of his partner, the Aussie is taking home a staggering $1.6 million for winning the Masters event. This could see him skip the Cincinnati Open next week and rest up.

Although Popyrin might fancy his chances of a big run at the Cincinnati Open, which would be huge for his ranking heading into the US Open. Unfortunately, Popyrin has already been dealt a brutal draw. The 25-year-old would have to play veteran Gael Monfils in round one, before a possible match-up with Carlos Alcaraz in round two in Cincinnati.

Alexei Popyrin ends 21-year wait for Aussies in tennis

Popyrin's win at the Canadian Open means he joins Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis and Hewitt as one of the four men to have won a Masters 1000 event. Hewitt was the last male player to win a 1000 event when he won Indian Wells in both 2002 and 2003.

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Popyrin is also the last Aussie to win the Canadian Masters since Rafter in 1998. De Minaur came close last year, but lost to Jannik Sinner in the final. Popyrin's win certainly left the tennis world in awe. He had to defeat top names such as Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov, Hubert Hurkacz and Rublev on his way to the title.

The victory left the Aussie just as surprised as the rest of the world and he acknowledged the enormity of the moment when he wrote: 'What just happened' on the camera lens after his win. Rublev was all class after his defeat in Montreal and admitted Popyrin's ability to back-up after a late semi-final was incredible.

"I would like to congratulate Alexei for amazing week and his team for amazing effort. He beat really great players," he said. "He was having a really tough draw, finishing last night really late and then won the title. It's a really big achievement."