Novak Djokovic kicked off the brand new season on the ATP 250 occasion in Brisbane. The Serb competed at this occasion for the primary time since 2009 and did not chase the milestone a centesimal ATP title. Novak suffered a 7-6, 6-3 defeat to world no. 293 Reilly Opelka!
It was Djokovic’s hardest defeat when it comes to the opponent’s rating in nearly 15 years. Reilly performed like a top-10 participant and deserved Novak’s reward. The Serb hailed the rival’s tennis, calling it superb and describing the American’s triumph as fully deserved!
Reilly is returning after a few difficult years. He carried out in opposition to the legend like he by no means left tennis, producing a excessive degree in his video games and incomes an important break within the second set that carried him by. Opelka felt zero strain in opposition to the 24-time Main winner.
Reilly Opelka & Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
He unleashed hearth from his serve and forehand, staying in contact with Novak from the baseline and retaining the strain on the opposite facet. Reilly fired 35 winners and 30 unforced errors in his career-best win. The enormous server backed these numbers with 34 unreturned serves.
Novak performed his first match since October and couldn’t break the rival’s rhythm. The American defended his backhand properly and endured the exchanges. He took the pivotal factors to seal the deal in fashion and ship the highest seed packing.
Opelka produced medical serving behind the second serve, dropping solely two factors and denying the one break level. Djokovic needed to work onerous in two service video games. He saved three break factors within the opening set earlier than experiencing a expensive break within the second.
Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
They stayed neck and neck within the first eight video games of the duel, reaching 4-4 in 25 minutes! Reilly made a push on the return within the ninth recreation and earned three break probabilities. Novak saved his focus and denied them, remaining on the optimistic facet.
These have been the one probabilities for the returners, and three comfy holds despatched them right into a tie break. The American clinched a mini-break within the fifth level with a forehand winner earlier than dropping some extent on serve at 4-2. Djokovic rattled off three factors for 5-4.
Nevertheless, he confronted a set level after Opelka’s two winners. Djokovic denied it earlier than dropping some extent on serve at 6-6 after the rival’s smash winner. Reilly closed the opener with an ace, bringing the primary a part of the duel residence in 57 minutes.
The Serb earned his solely break probability within the third recreation of the second set. The lower-ranked participant saved it with a serve & volley combo and held for 2-1. The American gamed a lift and transformed the second break level within the subsequent one with a forehand winner for 3-1.
Reilly Opelka, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
Thus, world no. 293 moved a set and a break in entrance, retaining the strings of the duel firmly in his arms. Reilly held at 15 for 4-1 and painted a forehand winner two video games later for 5-2. Novak prolonged the battle with a maintain in recreation eight.
Nevertheless, Opelka sealed the take care of an ace at 5-3, celebrating his career-best win and incomes honors from the best participant of all time.
“Amazing tennis, Reilly. Absolutely deserved,” Novak Djokovic wrote.
