Former world No. 17 Reilly Opelka has shared his thoughts on the evolving landscape of tennis since his extended absence from the tour. The American player has only competed in a single match between August 2022 and July 2024.
Opelka noted significant changes in tennis, particularly with the balls and playing styles. He observed that pure serve-dominant players are less common now, requiring more well-rounded games. His primary goal is to elevate his first serve percentage, aiming for over 75% success.
“I need to serve better,” Opelka stated. “After wrist surgery, I’ve had a series of issues with my arm, and I’m working towards regaining consistency. It’s been physically challenging to win consecutive matches. That’s why I played a Challenger event last week [in Phoenix]. My hope is to serve with full power without worrying about my arm or back. I believe I’m getting closer to that point.”
While acknowledging areas for improvement in his overall game, Opelka emphasized that his serve remains the priority. He aims to recapture the serve dominance that defined his peak years in 2021 and 2022, drawing a parallel to John Isner’s serve at his best. He expressed this during an interview with Tennis Channel.
Marcus Prine