Shocking; The Brisbane International continues to deliver drama and surprises, and Opelka’s stunning triumph over…….
Brisbane, Australia — In one of the biggest upsets in recent tennis history, Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion, suffered a shocking defeat to world No. 293 Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International. Opelka, a towering 7-foot-tall American, displayed exceptional form to claim a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over the Serbian legend on Thursday night.
Djokovic, who entered the tournament as the overwhelming favorite, looked out of sorts throughout the match. Despite a strong start, the Serbian superstar struggled to counter Opelka’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline play. The 26-year-old Opelka, who has spent most of the last year battling injuries and a drop in rankings, showcased a resurgence in form, firing 18 aces and winning 85% of his first-serve points.
The first set was a tightly contested affair, with neither player able to break serve. Opelka’s booming serve proved to be his biggest weapon, keeping Djokovic on the defensive. In the tiebreak, the American remained composed, clinching the set with a series of blistering serves and precise groundstrokes.
In the second set, Djokovic seemed to regain momentum, creating three break-point opportunities early on. However, Opelka held firm, saving each one with unreturnable serves. The breakthrough came in the seventh game when Opelka broke Djokovic’s serve with a stunning backhand passing shot, leaving the crowd in disbelief. From there, the American maintained his composure and served out the match with ease.
Speaking after his victory, an elated Opelka called the win the biggest moment of his career. “Beating Novak is a dream come true,” he said. “He’s one of the greatest players of all time, and to do it on a stage like this is incredible. I’ve worked hard to come back from injury, and tonight, everything just clicked.”
Djokovic, on the other hand, was gracious in defeat. “Reilly played an incredible match,” he said during his post-match press conference. “His serve was exceptional, and he deserved the win today. Of course, it’s disappointing for me, but this is sport. You have to accept these moments and learn from them.”
The loss raises questions about Djokovic’s preparation ahead of the Australian Open, where he is aiming for a record-extending 11th title. For Opelka, the victory could mark a turning point in his career as he aims to climb back up the ATP rankings.
