Reilly Opelka is ranked higher than Novak Djokovic. (AAP Photo: Darren England)
Novak Djokovic looked confused.
He was not a man accustomed to being confused.
When you’ve been on tour for over 20 years, played 1,346 matches at the ATP level, won 24 Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal, you realize there are a lot of situations you haven’t encountered before.
But across the court, he was faced with a problem he couldn’t seem to find the answer to.
Novak Djokovic has no answers. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
That’s a pretty big one – 211cm tall and 100kg, to be exact.
Reilly Opelka, from the small town of St. Joseph, Michigan, was playing the best match of his life, hitting crosscourt winners without reserve and serving like a dream.
In the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International, he surprised everyone by winning in straight sets 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in front of 5,500 spectators.
On the court, Opelka looks very large, a burly man striding across the baseline, a thick beard beneath a peaked cap that adds to the visual sense that you are looking at something unusual and unexpected on the court.
As he strode toward the chair, his size became more apparent, towering a full head over Djokovic.
Their post-match embrace at the net looked more like WWE than fair sports.
Novak Djokovic looks up to Riley Opelka, just as Riley Opelka looks up to Novak Djokovic. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
He has a very large build, and every time he swings the racket, his steps and bounces are very accurate.
This puts Djokovic in a difficult position.
The Serbian player is arguably the greatest tennis receiver of all time and has never had trouble against taller players.
Granted, Ivo Karlovic has a 2-1 record against Djokovic, but the only player who is comparable in height to the two 211cm giants – John Isner (208cm) – has lost 10 matches and won just two.
But against Opelka, the years of experience, the countless adversities meant nothing.
The greatest player of all time simply couldn’t stop his opponent’s shots with his racket.
Opelka hit an astonishing 36 winners in the match, won 77 percent of his first serve points, and won 78 percent of his points.
In the first set, he was even better, serving 83 percent of the time and winning all six points on his second serve.
Reilly Opelka has been out of action for years due to injuries. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Djokovic didn’t play badly. Far from it.
Opelka played better.
Opelka on Djokovic: “He is the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen.
“You know, it’s difficult to be in Novak’s situation.
“He can scout me or any of his other opponents all day long.
“In fact, we have nothing to lose by dealing with him.
“He’s always the greatest player, so you’re going to play more freely, you’re going to do more things, you’re going to take more risks because this is your only chance.
“If you play at your normal level, or above, he’s going to win every time.
“So he’s in a difficult position because he has good players who take risks and on days like this, a lot of things go my way and you know, that’s how it goes.”
As Opelka proved his worth throughout the game, the packed house slowly realized that the script was being rewritten before their eyes by the most unlikely of characters.
Novak Djokovic’s feelings were reflected by the majority of his supporters in the stands. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
His serves were stunning, but even more impressive were his forehand winners, creating angles that made Djokovic panic, reach and stumble, unable to even touch the ball.
The match’s serve tested his mettle, as he served with a straight face, looking like he was just warming up.
“You know, I just focus on my position,” Opelka said.
“If I hit them, it’s hard for them to fight back.
“If anyone can do it, it’s him, and if it happens, I’m ready.
“If I fail, we move on.”
That composure and patience may stem from Opelka’s time off the court.
He has rarely appeared in public in recent years.
The former world number 17 will be out of competitive tennis for almost all of 2023 and much of 2022 and 2024 after undergoing hip and wrist surgery.
He returned midway through the 2024 season and is currently ranked 293rd in the world with a protected ranking of 33rd.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” Opekela said on the court.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt.
“I watched Novak become the greatest player in those two years.
“A lot of people ask themselves, what would Novak do in my position? Even when you’re in a tough situation, you always try to find a way out.
Reilly Opelka aims to move up the rankings. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
“That’s the impact he had on the sport.
“That’s the way sports work, competition.
“Even with a cast and on crutches, I kept playing, just hoping I’d get another chance like tonight.”
Djokovic will not play his 100th ATP tournament in the River City.
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Yet suddenly everything clicked for the unassuming, soft-spoken 27-year-old American, starting with another powerful serve from Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Saturday night’s semifinal.
But that’s not Opelka’s goal.
“The big show is in a week,” Opelka said.
“Obviously, it’s great. It’s all about preparing for Melbourne and this is just one step in that.
“Yeah, it’s great and I’m excited, but it’s a new beginning for me.
“I’ve got a long way to go to get my ranking back to where I like it, get my stamina back to where I like it, to be able to compete at this level every week.
“You know, anybody can do it for a night or two here or there, but the hard part is doing it for over a year, for an 11-month season.”
Tonight could be the most important game of his life.
But Opelka has proven that he will be a force to be reckoned with at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park.
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