Reilly Opelka Reaches First ATP Quarter-Final Since Surgeries On Wrist, Tumorous Growth - UBITENNIS

Reilly Opelka Reaches First ATP Quarter-Final Since Surgeries On Wrist, Tumorous Growth

By Adam Addicott
3 Min Read

Reilly Opelka is enjoying a fairytale return to professional tennis at this week’s Hall Of Fame Open in Newport where he has knocked the top seed out of the tournament. 

The former world No.17 is playing in his first ATP Tour event since August 2022 after being sidelined from the sport due to various injury setbacks. On Monday he defeated France’s Constant Lestienne in three sets before upsetting world No.25 and defending champion Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. In his latest match, Opelka fired 19 aces and won 42 out of 48 points behind his first serve. 

“It was a little ugly, tough conditions,” he said after his latest win“He’s (Mannarino) a tricky left-handed player too, hedoes things different. The way that he builds up and constructs his points, the patterns that he gets into. He has a really short backswing — he keeps the ball flat, really low.”

Opelka has experienced a roller-coaster journey back to the Tour and at one stage contemplated retirement from the sport. Over the past two years, he has undergone a duo of surgeries on his wrist. On top of that he also underwent a separate procedure on his hip to remove what he describes as ‘a tumorous growth‘ which was benign. Besides those surgeries, he was also hospitalised with an infection. 

“I felt good about two months after the hip surgery, but there was some doubt about making a comeback after the wrist surgery then it got infected and I was on antibiotics. I was in the hospital, it was a disaster.” He said. 

The 26-year-old has won four ATP trophies so far in his career with three of those titles being on hardcourts and another on the clay. Although he is yet to win a Tour event outside of his native America. In the Grand Slams, his best run was to the fourth round of the 2021 US Open. 

“I just want to play matches, I’m still a bit rusty. Grass is a tough surface to come back on too — that’s the beauty of playing this tournament. Grass is not the best place to start my comeback, but this is a road to recovery.” He commented. 

Opelka will next play Mackenzie McDonald in the quarter-finals at Newport. 

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