Reilly Opelka kept it straight honest following his shock win over Novak Djokovic, admitting that he played freely and didn’t feel any pressure because he was playing “the greatest player of all time” and didn’t have any expectations.
On Friday, the former world No. 17 clinched his biggest victory since returning from wrist surgery after beating the Serbian tennis star 7-6 (6) 6-3 in the Brisbane quarterfinal.
Throughout the match, Opelka – currently ranked at No. 293 in the world – served exceptionally as he blasted 16 aces and didn’t lose his serve once.
Also, the American was able to create some break point chances as he claimed the lone break of the match when he took Djokovic’s serve in the fourth game of the second set.
Reilly Opelka© Brisbane International/X – Fair Use
Interestingly, this was only the first meeting between the two so the 27-year-old now has a winning record against the record 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Opelka: Djokovic is the GOAT and I had nothing to lose so I played freely
“I just focused on hitting my spots. If I hit them my spots, it is hard to get it back, but if anyone can it is him. I was ready for that if it happened,” the American reflected.
“He is the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen. It is difficult being in Novak’s position because he can scout me all day long but the reality is we have nothing to lose coming in against him, he is the greatest player ever.
“So you end up playing more free and take more risk. If you play your normal level or even a little above your normal level he will win.”
For a place in the Brisbane final, Opelka is set to battle another big-server – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who fired 36 aces during a first-round meeting versus Nick Kyrgios.
Tennis World USA