Novak Djokovic sends seven-word message after shock loss as Reilly Opelka’s net comments revealed

Novak Djokovic delivered a succinct, seven-word message following his shock loss to Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, saying, “I’ll learn from this and move forward.” The defeat marked a surprising exit for Djokovic, who was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Opelka, ranked No. 293 after a two-year injury layoff.

Despite his disappointment, Djokovic remained gracious in defeat and focused on the lessons he could take from the match. The Serbian star is known for his resilience and ability to bounce back, and his brief statement showed his determination to use the setback as motivation for future competitions.

After the match, the pair shared a heartfelt moment at the net, with Opelka praising Djokovic and expressing admiration for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “He’s the greatest tennis player this sport has ever seen,” Opelka said, acknowledging the immense challenge of playing against Djokovic.

Opelka also admitted that playing against a player of Djokovic’s caliber gave him the freedom to take more risks, knowing that it was his only shot at victory. “When you’re playing the GOAT, you’ve got nothing to lose,” Opelka remarked. “You go for it, and sometimes things go your way.”

Djokovic, ever the sportsman, congratulated Opelka on his impressive win, demonstrating once again why he is held in such high regard both on and off the court. Though the loss was unexpected, Djokovic’s response and Opelka’s respect underscored the sportsmanship and mutual admiration between the two competitors.