Novak Djokovic, world No. 7, was unceremoniously knocked out 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 Friday by the American Reilly Opelka, ranked only 293rd, in the quarter-finals of the ATP tournament in Brisbane.
The Serbian, former world No. 1 who is coming out of a 2024 season without a Grand Slam title – a first since 2017 – wants to try to win a 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, his favorite major tournament that he has won ten times, starting on January 12 in Melbourne.
But the winner of 24 Grand Slam tournaments was stopped in his preparation in Brisbane by the American Opelka, 27 years old and 2.11 m, who gave him no chance, notably hitting 16 aces.
Opelka, currently at the bottom of the rankings after two long hiatuses in the last two years due to injuries, showed from the start that he had not come to endure the match and obtained several break points at 4- 4, but Djokovic managed to save them all.
Still neck and neck, the two players had to decide in the deciding game in the first round. Opelka took the lead before Djokovic came back to 5-4. The American then missed a first set point with a direct error before finishing on the second thanks to a 12th ace.
At 37 years old, ten years older than his opponent, the Serbian seemed to suffer more from the humid heat which reigned on the court of the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane (eastern Australia).
Winner of four ATP 250 tournaments since 2019, but none for almost two years, the Michigan native kept the pace and hung Djokovic in the 2nd game of the 2nd set, but the Serbian saved his serve before wasting a break point to the next game.
Opelka reminded the spectators that he had reached 17th world ranking in 2022 by making the break in stride to lead 3 games to 1. In this match of hitters, he multiplied the unplayable shots, nailing Djokovic to the bottom of the court and forcing him to make numerous unforced errors.
The Serbian may have signed a shutout to return to 5-3, but Opelka, very calm, concluded by winning the set with a 16th ace and a shutout in his turn.
