Novak Djokovic losing on Australian soil is a rare event, even if it’s not at the Australian Open. Yet, the tennis world was left stunned when Djokovic fell in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International to Reilly Opelka, ranked a distant 293rd in the ATP rankings.
Opelka’s current ranking tells little of his true capabilities, reflecting instead a harrowing two-and-a-half-year battle with personal and physical setbacks. Once ranked as high as No. 17 in 2022, the towering American’s aggressive, high-impact style remains intact.
It was that same approach that earned him one of the most significant victories of his career against Djokovic. However, Opelka’s triumphant return was bittersweet, as he later lost the Brisbane final in just 14 minutes due to injury.