“He’s the greatest player the sport has ever seen”: Reilly Opelka salutes Novak Djokovic as the GOAT after incredible Brisbane win

Reilly Opelka hailed Novak Djokovic as the “greatest player the sport has ever seen” following his stunning victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion at the Brisbane International. Opelka, ranked No. 293 after a lengthy injury layoff, pulled off a remarkable upset in the quarterfinals, defeating Djokovic 7-6(6), 6-3.

After the match, the 6’11” American was full of admiration for Djokovic, acknowledging the difficulty of facing a player of his caliber. “He’s the greatest player the sport has ever seen,” Opelka said in his post-match interview. “It’s always tough when you go up against someone like Novak because he knows your game inside out, but you have nothing to lose. You just have to go for it.”

Opelka’s win marked a huge milestone in his career, not only knocking out one of the sport’s all-time greats but also becoming the lowest-ranked player to reach the semifinals of the tournament’s history. He credited his fearless approach, knowing the pressure was entirely on Djokovic, and the fact that playing with freedom allowed him to take more risks.

“With Novak, if you play at your normal level, he’s going to win every time,” Opelka added. “You have to take more chances, go for bigger shots, and that’s what I did today. Things went my way, and I’m grateful for that.”

Djokovic, who was gracious in defeat, congratulated Opelka at the net and acknowledged the American’s strong performance. Despite the loss, Djokovic remains focused on his preparation for the 2025 season, while Opelka’s stunning victory has reminded fans of his powerful serve and resilience, even after an extended period away from the sport.

Opelka’s salute to Djokovic as the GOAT underscores the immense respect players across the Tour have for the Serbian icon, whose impact on tennis remains unparalleled despite the occasional setback.