Meanwhile, Reilly Opelka has captured the attention of the tennis world with his impressive performance in Brisbane, making it clear that he is more than capable of competing with top players, despite his current ranking.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events at the 2025 Brisbane International, world No.
293 Reilly Opelka stunned Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, marking a
huge upset in the tournament. The 27-year-old American, towering at 6ft 11in,
produced a commanding performance to defeat Djokovic 7-6 (8-6), 6-3,
sending shockwaves through the tennis world.
The loss comes as a blow to Djokovic, who had entered the tournament as the
top seed and heavy favorite to secure the title. The 37-year-old Serbian, a ten-
time Australian Open champion, was expected to breeze through the event,
especially after his dominant victories in the earlier rounds. In his first two
matches, Djokovic dispatched Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils with ease,
seemingly on track to add another trophy to his impressive collection.
However, Reilly Opelka had other plans. Despite his lowly ranking, the
American demonstrated his world-class potential, reminding fans of the
powerful game that once saw him ranked as high as No. 17 in the ATP
rankings. Opelka’s biggest weapon, his serve, was on full display throughout
the match, and it proved to be too much for Djokovic to handle. With serves
consistently reaching speeds over 63 meters per second, Opelka’s dominance
on serve made it nearly impossible for Djokovic to gain any traction.
The opening set was a tense battle that saw both players hold serve with ease,
but Opelka’s confidence grew as the set progressed. Djokovic had a few
chances to break, including three break points at 4-4, but Opelka showed his
resilience, saving all of them with composure. The set was eventually decided
in a tiebreaker, and Opelka, who had already hit 12 aces in the first set alone,
edged out Djokovic 8-6. Despite his relentless fight, Djokovic could not gain
control, as Opelka served with precision and power.
The second set continued in a similar fashion, with Opelka controlling his
service games and Djokovic struggling to find answers. Opelka broke
Djokovic’s serve at 3-1, and from there, the American never looked back,
holding strong and closing out the match in straight sets. Opelka’s
performance was a remarkable display of power tennis, and his serve was the
key factor in his victory. He continues to prove that despite being ranked
outside the top 250, he still has the ability to challenge the sport’s elite.
For Djokovic, the loss marks an unexpected early exit from the Brisbane
International, as he had hoped to use the tournament as a springboard for his
preparations for the upcoming Australian Open. The defeat is particularly
notable as it is Djokovic’s first tournament with new coaching partner Andy
Murray in his box. The pair had hoped to forge a strong working relationship,
but this setback leaves Djokovic with much to reflect on as he heads into the
new season.
With Opelka’s victory, the American advances to the semi-finals, where he will
face Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard, who earlier defeated Djokovic’s doubles
partner, Nick Kyrgios, in another upset. Opelka’s strong serving performance
against Djokovic sets up what promises to be an exciting match-up in the next
round.
Opelka’s win is a statement of intent, as he continues to shake off the injuries
and inconsistencies that have plagued his career in recent years. His height,
combined with his serving ability, makes him a unique threat on the ATP Tour,
and this victory in Brisbane could signal a major return to form for the
American.
Djokovic, on the other hand, will now shift his focus to Melbourne, where he
will aim to defend his Australian Open title and continue his quest for a
record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Despite the early disappointment in
Brisbane, Djokovic’s wealth of experience and mental strength will ensure he
is fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
In the meantime, Reilly Opelka has given the tennis world something to talk
about, and his performance in Brisbane has certainly raised eyebrows,
signaling that he is more than capable of competing with the best, regardless
of his ranking.
