Boca Raton – Reilly Opelka was back at Delray Beach Open For the first time since 2022. You cannot miss it. The resident of Boca Raton measures 6 feet 11 inches with a beard as large as the honest Abe and a large as large as Jupiter – the planet.
Opelka, 27, missed the ATP tour for two years due to wrist and hip surgeries before returning to Newport, Rhode Island. Retirement had been a thought.
Opelka rather made headlines by upsetting Novak Djokovic At the beginning of January in an Australian open focus in Brisbane, and his return sailed quite well.
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Its ranking is back at 121. It is not close to its career in the career of 17, but it is at the start of its return. Opelka needed a joker to make the main draw.
After two years far from the tour, Opelka, the Delray Beach Open 2020 champion, is just delighted to have a job again. During his first match in Delray on Tuesday evening, he sent an American compatriot Christian Eubanks, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7). Unfortunately for Opelka, he lost against the sixth seeded Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 Thursday afternoon and did not go to the quarter-finals.
“It’s good to be with my friends,” said Opelka after Tuesday’s match. “I failed to spend time with Tommy (Paul), Ben (Shelton) and (Taylor) Fritz. This is the highest point. And also have a schedule for the first time. I really had nothing to rush and wake up. It could sometimes be a little demotivating. It’s really nice to have something to continue, to keep me disciplined, especially my diet. “”
Reilly Opelka Comfortable being back on the Tennis Court of Delray Beach
Opelka said he had not felt a nostalgic moment when he set foot in the Delray Beach court. He used to introduce himself with Paul, also a player on the tour, in Delray. Now they both live in Boca Raton.
“I’m back, I have played big games in the past six months. It was like another event – which is a good sign. I didn’t feel different. “”
Against Eubanks, Opelka sailed in the first set in 26 minutes before a second monster set in which he fought a section point in the equality break at 6-7. He delivered a devastating service winner to equalize and destroyed the last three points.
Opelka was not satisfied with his service, although he was not broken. He cited his low percentage of first service in the second set when he faced on Break Point.
For a big guy, Opelka is presented for its ability to move along the base line – faster than 6-10 John Isner.
“I thought it was good,” said Opelka about her movement. “(Eubanks) has so many weapons. Not many bullets for which you can move because it has such firepower. But when I need to hunt the balls, I did it at great times like the set point.
If Opelka had continued to win here, he might have met N ° 4 Fritz in the semi-finals on Saturday. They are close friends.
“I prefer to play it in the semi-finals of the United States,” said Opelka. “But whenever you can play one of the best players in the world, it’s cool.”
He always has the reputation of one of the most dangerous opponents because of his service fireworks.
“It’s a compliment,” said Opelka. “My next step is for my level C Plus to beat anyone. My a-plus, I can beat anyone. But my average game and being more consistent is the key to beat a top 10 guys.”
He does not intend to leave Boca.
“Preparation here all year round, it is not difficult to find competition,” said Opelka. “And you can play a lot on Clay – more than anywhere else in the United States. It is quite important to exhibit you. I can drive 40 minutes max in December and you can find someone (play).
Delray Beach Open
Until Sunday
Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center, 201 W. Atlantic Ave.
Tickets: Delraybeachopen.com/en/tickets/single-ssion
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 6 feet 11 inches Reilly Opelka injured behind him in Delray Beach Open
