In a surprising turn of events at the Brisbane International, tennis titan Novak Djokovic was defeated by Reilly Opelka, a towering presence on the court. The American Opelka, measuring 211cm and weighing 100kg, overpowered Djokovic in a match that had the Pat Rafter Arena’s 5,500-capacity crowd on the edge of their seats. Despite Djokovic’s illustrious career, which spans over two decades with numerous titles to his name, he found himself outmatched by Opelka’s powerful serves and precise cross-court winners.
Opelka, hailing from St Joseph, Michigan, dominated the quarterfinal encounter with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 victory, proving his mettle with an impressive tally of 36 winners and a first-serve success rate of 78%. Djokovic, renowned for his ability to counter tall players, was left in disbelief, unable to contend with Opelka’s formidable presence and unwavering performance.
Opelka’s victory was not just a triumph of skill but also a demonstration of resilience following his struggles with injuries that kept him off the court for significant portions of 2022, 2023, and 2024. Now ranked 293rd with a protected ranking of 33, Opelka reflected on his challenging journey and the influence Djokovic had on him during his hiatus. He credited his ability to play freely and take risks against Djokovic as a key factor in his success.
Looking forward, Opelka is set to face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the semifinals but has his sights firmly set on the Australian Open in Melbourne. He aims to regain his place in the higher echelons of tennis rankings and maintain the level of performance he showcased against the world’s best. As Djokovic departs from the Brisbane International without adding to his ATP titles, the tennis world is left buzzing with the potential Opelka brings to future events.
