By Scoop Malinowski
American top tennis gun Reilly Opelka says one of his biggest inspiration figures is not Federer, Agassi, Nadal or Laver, but Venus Williams.
In a recent Inside Tennis interview, the 24 year old American currently ranked no. 17 (best of all American players) expressed high respect for his personal friend Venus.
“She’s an absolute bad ass. I learned more from her than any active player,” Opelka said. “She’s brilliant. A fierce competitor. She works extremely differently than anyone else. The great ones think differently. And she has a great sense of humor. I enjoy being around her and learning from her.”
The Opelka and Venus friendship connected in the last two years as both reside in South Florida. Opelka could have stopped his verbal tribute for Venus Ebony Starr Williams right there but he kept on pouring our the praises.
“She’s insanely competitive. As fierce as there’s ever been. Absolutely cannot tolerate losing. It makes her sick to think about it. She stays in the moment. If it weren’t for Serena, she’d be the greatest woman player of all time. Then again, there’s no Serena without Venus. So you almost have to give it to them both.”
Venus has won seven Grand Slams in singles – two at US Open and five at Wimbledon – and also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and two more in mixed. Venus and Serena never lost a Grand Slam doubles final in 14 finals.
The Williams have won 62 total Grand Slams in singles, mixed and doubles. Serena won 23 in singles, 14 in doubles and two more in mixed.
Margaret Court won a total 64 Grand Slams.
”
ATP · Reilly Opelka · US Open · Venus Williams · Wimbledon · WTA
Scoop Malinowski · March 2, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Venus as a coach for Opelka after she retires?