Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard could expect a duel against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the ATP 250 in Brisbane. However, it is not the Serb who will appear on Saturday but a certain Reilly Opelka. The American giant returns in 2025 and is already showing its advantage. After eight months on the floor, even more like 23 months because he had only played two matches in 2023, Opelka was able to play again in 2024 and find pleasure again. This year, he intends to continue, move up the rankings, win titles… While drawing on the strength developed during all this time away from the courts due to a benign hip tumor and a serious wrist injury …
Video – Reilly Opelka will play Mpetshi Perricard in the semis in Brisbane
“There were a lot of uncertainties and doubts”
“It was very difficult. There were a lot of uncertainties and doubts”he explained on the court after his victory. “I was watching a lot of my friends’ matches on TV, I was seeing Tommy (Paul), Taylor (Fritz), Frances (Tiafoe), Ben (Shelton) doing great things, which motivated me a lot. That allowed me to continue to be interested in this sport I also saw Novak become the best of all time during these two years I remained mentally strong, even when I was in a cast and on crutches, hoping to have. another chance like the one I had this evening.
“It’s difficult in his position because he has players playing dice”
He was then complimentary to Djokovic. “He’s the greatest player the sport has ever seen. It’s tough to be in his position. He can spot me or other opponents all day… the reality is we don’t have nothing to lose against him. You end up playing more freely. You take a lot more risks because if you play at your normal level or even above, he will win every time. It’s difficult in his position. he has players playing dice On a day like this, when. a lot of things go my way, that’s how it works.”
