Tennis Prose




Sep/22

25

Opelka Superb Debut As Tennis Channel Analyst

By Scoop Malinowski

Reilly Opelka is well known already in the tennis universe as a highly intelligent, quick-witted, free spirit not afraid to speak his mind. And those personality traits have helped him make a very positive first impression as a guest analyst for the Tennis Channel at the Laver Cup.

Opelka has shared colorful, unique anecdotes with Tennis Channel viewers such as this one about Novak Djokovic: “Novak came to Isner and I in the locker rooms in Wimbledon. He asked – is Goran a servebot? John said of course not, he won a slam! Bots can’t do that!”

He also has very high regards for Andy Murray’s all time status: “Murray is either the fourth or fifth greatest player in history and he would have won twelve or thirteen Grand Slams in any other era.”

About how the sport will evolve after the departures of Federer, Novak, Rafa and Murray: “They’re on their way out, but it’s crazy. It’s all I’ve known, it’s all most of us have known. I’m curious to see what it is like. [The list of winners] will be more spread out and I think it will help the sport. It will bring more attention to more countries. All of Greece is going to watch tennis once Tsitispas wins a Slam, and all of Italy is going to be following it when Matteo [Berrettini] wins one. I think it will more exciting.”

The 25 year old American currently ranked 38 has won four ATP singles titles in his career but is sidelined at the moment due to a hip injury which caused him to miss the US Open.

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6 comments

  • Cyndy · September 25, 2022 at 11:11 am

    Scoop Malinowski..,nice to read Reilly Opelka saying nice stuff on the Big Four during the Laver Cup which is finals day today. As Federer has rightly said that tennis is in the right hands and there will be new names at future Grand Slams., after the departure of the Big Four. Felix Auger-Aliassime (Team World -10),match just concluded with Djokovic (Team Europe -8) and he is definitely another great talent to watch for a Grand slam win. A speedy recovery to Opelka so we can see him play once again.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 25, 2022 at 10:17 pm

    Cyndy, Shapovalov is generally considered to be better than Felix, so don’t count him out yet either. Musetti, Sonego, Nick, Zverev, Baez, Cerundolo, Fritz, Foe, Paul, Opelka, Draper, de Minaur, Ruud, lot’s of young talents ready to explode. Yes I like the perspective of Opelka and what he has to say, he’s honest, intelligent and for sure a fantastic ambassador for tennis. Don’t give me this servebot BS, every tennis player on the planet would serve like Opelka – IF they could.

  • Cyndy · September 26, 2022 at 2:28 am

    Wholly agree with you Scoop Malinowski. But I felt that Johnny Mac did the right thing getting all his boys geared into the right mindset for this years edition of the Laver Cup, steering them into that top of the world feeling of a win! Great stuff and kudos to them.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2022 at 8:25 am

    Well it all works out perfectly for the future of the ATP, two new stars were created Felix and Foe.

  • Cyndy · September 26, 2022 at 10:14 am

    Yes for sure Scoop Malinowski!, and their games are super exciting to watch as well. Felix showed guts and courage as he played Djokovic in the singles. Shall look forward to seeing Djokovic play next at the Tel Aviv open and see how that goes., understand he’s also playing doubles there.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    Cyndy, Novak is the most intriguing and electric player in the ATP now, his legend and myth have grown exponentially after all the drama and controversy and media attacks. Federer and Nadal never ignited so much controversy and we all know controversy sells. Felix is dynamic on court but so far his personality has been rather bland like they said Pete Sampras was, hope he comes out of his shell more.

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