Reilly Opelka explains the disadvantage Novak Djokovic has every time he steps on court now after beating him in Brisbane

Reilly Opelka, after his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International, shed light on a unique disadvantage that Djokovic faces every time he steps on the court. Opelka explained that Djokovic’s status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time makes him a constant target for opponents, who feel they have nothing to lose and can take more risks.

“Every time Novak steps on court, he’s got this massive target on his back,” Opelka said after his quarterfinal win over the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “When you’re playing the greatest of all time, the pressure is on him, not you. We [the challengers] can just go for it, take more risks, because frankly, we’re not expected to win. That makes it incredibly tough for Novak.”

Opelka went on to explain that this dynamic puts Djokovic in a difficult position. “For guys like me, coming back from injuries or lower in the rankings, we’re playing freely and sometimes that works in our favor. Novak, on the other hand, is constantly facing players who are throwing everything at him, with nothing to lose, which can be mentally and physically exhausting.”

Opelka’s powerful serve and aggressive play proved decisive in his straight-sets win over Djokovic, but the American credited Djokovic’s greatness and acknowledged the burden the Serbian legend carries with his illustrious career and expectations.

Despite the loss, Djokovic remains focused on his future tournaments, knowing that every opponent will give their best shot against him. Opelka’s comments highlight the unique challenge Djokovic faces in every match—being the one every player wants to beat, and the immense pressure that comes with his GOAT status.