A bearded, six-foot-11 American on the comeback trail from hip and dual wrist surgeries has denied Novak Djokovic from winning his 100th career title ahead of the Australian Open.
Reilly Opelka – once ranked No.17 but now barely inside 300 – stunned 24-time major champion Djokovic 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 with a sustained performance of big hitting to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Reilly Opelka of the USA after their quarter-final match.Credit: Getty Images
It is a rare defeat in Australia for Djokovic, who had not dropped a set in his opening two wins this week. He will now head to Melbourne earlier than expected as he tries to avenge his grand slam semi-final loss to world No.1 Jannik Sinner from 12 months ago.
Opelka, who struck his 16th ace on match point, is only six months into what he described as “a new start” after contemplating retiring during a two-year period when he played a single match.
“[Djokovic] is the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen. It’s difficult being in Novak’s position,” Opelka said.
“He can scout me or his other opponents all day long. The reality is we have nothing to lose coming in against him. You end up playing freer, and take a lot more risks because it’s your only chance.
“If you play your normal level, or even above your normal level, he’s going to win every time. So, it’s tough in his position because he gets guys who are good players who roll the dice, and on a day like this, a lot of things go my way. That’s how it works out.”
There were moments during Opelka’s layoff while recovering from surgeries, including a botched one on his wrist, that he doubted he would play again.
Watching close friends and fellow Americans Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton thrive in his absence helped keep him motivated.
“I watched Novak become the greatest in that two-year period off. You find yourself asking yourself, ‘What would Novak be doing in my situation?’,” Opelka said.
Reilly Opelka plays a forehand in his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic.Credit: Getty Images
“Even when you’re in a sleeve, you’re always trying to kind of maximise, and that’s the effect he’s had on the sport. I think that’s why you see a guy like Jannik, who reminds me a little bit of someone else 10 years ago, and Carlos [Alcaraz] and stuff.
“I stayed the course, even when I was in a cast and on crutches, and was just hoping to have another chance out here like tonight.”
Opelka, who will meet fellow giant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the semi-finals, remained deadpan in victory, much like he was throughout his upset win.
He achieved it with first-strike tennis, unafraid to swing hard and early to avoid elongated rallies that would have played into Djokovic’s hands.
Novak Djokovic plays a shot in his match against Reilly Opelka.Credit: AP
One game after staving off the sole break point he faced, Opelka blasted through Djokovic’s defences to snatch a 3-1 lead in the second set – and he never looked like handing it back from there.
“Obviously, this is great, [but] this is all prep for Melbourne,” he said.
“I’m excited, but it’s the beginning of a new start for me. I’ve got a long way to go to get my ranking back where I would like it, and my endurance back where I would like it, to be able to compete at this level week in, week out.
“Anyone can do it for a night or two, here and there, but the difficult part is to sustain it over an 11-month season.”
The other men’s semi-final is between defending champion Grigor Dimitrov and Czech Jiri Lehecka.
The women’s final four pits top seed Aryna Sabalenka against Russian rising star Mirra Andreeva, and qualifier Polina Kudermetova takes on Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, who ousted Gold Coast’s Kim Birrell in three sets.
