Serbian Novak Djokovic lost 7-6 (6), 6-3 to powerful American server Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane tournament on Friday.
Opelka hit 16 aces – including one to end each set – to earn one of his biggest career victories.
“I was just focusing on where to serve,” Opelka said. If I hit my targets, it’s difficult to make a comeback. If anyone can do it, it’s him. »
Aged 37, Djokovic was playing his first tournament of the season. The holder of 24 Grand Slam titles is preparing for the Australian Open, which begins on January 12 in Melbourne. He was crowned champion there 10 times.
“We have nothing to lose by confronting him,” argued Opelka. He is one of the best players in his career. So you play more freely and take more risks. If you play at your normal level, or even a little above, he’s going to win every time. So it’s hard to be in his position because good players can just roll the dice.
“On a day like this, when a lot of things are going my way, that’s how it goes. »
Andy Murray will join Djokovic’s coaching team in Melbourne.
Opelka reached a career-best ranking of 17th in the ATP rankings in February 2022 before undergoing surgery to remove a benign tumor from his hip later that year. He is currently 293rd.
“It was difficult. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt,” Opelka said.
In the semi-final, Opelka will face Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (31st), who defeated Czech Jakub Mensik (48th) 7-5 and 7-6 (5).
