American tennis player Reilly Opelka has recently been in the spotlight for his comments on the US Open’s new mixed doubles format. The tournament has reduced the draw from 32 to 16 teams and introduced shorter sets. Some players criticized these changes as disrespectful. Opelka responded with a blunt remark, suggesting the previous format was not ideal either.
In January 2025, Opelka reached the final of the Brisbane International. He achieved a significant victory over top seed Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. However, during the final against Jiří Lehečka, Opelka retired due to a back injury, trailing 1-4 in the first set.
Despite this setback, Opelka made a strong return at the Australian Open. He secured a first-round win against Belgian Gauthier Onclin. This marked his first Grand Slam appearance since his injury hiatus.
Opelka’s recent performances indicate a promising comeback, despite ongoing injury challenges.
