Novak Djokovic suffers shock straight sets defeat to seven-foot tall World No.293
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Novak Djokovic was handed a shock straight-sets defeat to the world No 293 in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Friday. And unfancied Reilly Opelka, a 7ft American who has been besieged by injuries in the past two years, hailed the greatest win of his career after winning the first set in a tiebreak before breaking the Serbia star early in the second.
It is suboptimal preparation for Djokovic with just over a week to go before the Australian Open begins in Melbourne. He is also set to link up with new coach Sir Andy Murray this month. Opelka, the tallest player to ever have an ATP ranking, said: "He is the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen. It's difficult being in Novak's position - he can scout me or his opponents all day long, but the reality is that we have nothing to lose coming in against him.
"If you play your normal level, or even just above your normal level, he's going to win every time. You end up playing more free and taking a lot more risks, because it's your only chance. On a day like this, a lot of things went my way, and that's how it worked out.".
Opelka had climbed to No17 in the rankings in 2022 but has since plummeted having had a benign tumour removed from a hip in addition to two wrist surgeries. "It was tough. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt,” he said, looking back on his travails. "I stayed the course, even when in a cast and on crutches, just hoping to have another chance like I did out here tonight.
