Reilly Opelka revealed the simple yet effective strategy that helped him secure his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International. After defeating the 24-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets, 7-6(6), 6-3, Opelka confessed that his game plan was straightforward: focus on his serve and stay aggressive.
“My approach was really simple,” Opelka said in his post-match interview. “I knew I had to serve big and take my chances when I had them. Novak is such a great returner, but I couldn’t afford to play passively or get caught in long rallies. It was about trusting my serve and being aggressive whenever I had a chance.”
Opelka’s massive serve, a trademark of his game, was pivotal in the match, as Djokovic struggled to find rhythm against the towering American’s consistent power. Opelka did not face a single break point during the match and took advantage of his few opportunities to put the world No. 7 under pressure.
“Against a player like Novak, if you don’t take risks, he’ll control the match,” Opelka added. “I knew I had to play freely and just go for it. I kept my serve going, and that made it tough for him to find any openings.”
Opelka’s win marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, as Djokovic had been considered a heavy favorite. Despite the loss, Djokovic was gracious in defeat, praising Opelka’s performance and acknowledging the difficulty of handling his opponent’s powerful serve.
With the victory, Opelka not only sent shockwaves through the tournament but also reinforced his reputation as one of the most dangerous servers on the ATP Tour. His simple yet effective strategy of staying aggressive and relying on his serve paid off, leading to one of the most significant wins of his career.
