reilly opelka

Biography

Overview
Opelka is the tallest man competing at San Francisco for Team World, and he is tied with Ivo Karlovic as the tallest-ever ATP-ranked player. The former No.1 American is feared wherever he treads, using all his height and tennis intelligence to leverage a booming serve and vast wingspan. This is his second appearance with the red team, serving under former Captain John McEnroe in Boston.

Off Court
Opelka began playing tennis at six and trained with former pro Tom Gullikson. Opelka loves attending fashion shows and art galleries, and says he would like to pursue a career in fashion after tennis. He enjoys playing pick-up basketball on Tour and is a fan of the Chicago Bulls (NBA), the Chicago Bears (NFL) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). 

Career
Opelka owns four ATP singles titles and achieved a career-high No.17 ranking early in 2022 after claiming the title at Dallas, where he beat compatriot John Isner in the final 7-6(7) 7-6(22) – the longest tiebreak in ATP history. Opelka has had several health setbacks since turning pro after winning the Wimbledon junior boys’ championships in 2015, and did not compete between August 2022 and July 2024 due to hip and wrist injuries. But he has never remained out of the picture, and in 2025 his ranking moved from 171 at the start of the year to 67 ahead of the Laver Cup. He landed notable wins over Novak Djokovic in Brisbane, Holger Rune at the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami, Daniil Medvedev at ‘s-Hertogenbosch and No.8-ranked Alex de Minaur in Cincinnati.

2025 Highlights
Final: Brisbane
Semifinals: ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Quarterfinals: Dallas
3R: Miami, Toronto, Cincinnati