What is happening to Djokovic?
What is Happening to Djokovic?
Tipped as a strong contender for the title, Novak Djokovic failed to overcome American Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinal match of the ATP 250 Brisbane International 2025, held in Australia on the evening of January 3.
Reilly Opelka’s Resurgent Form
Once ranked among the world’s top 20 players, Reilly Opelka endured a challenging 2024, plagued by persistent injuries. However, after a long recovery period, the American made a remarkable comeback at this year’s Brisbane International, delivering commanding victories in the earlier rounds. His confident form set the stage for a thrilling encounter against the heavily favored Novak Djokovic.
Right from the start, Opelka displayed confidence and consistency. In the first set, both players were locked in a fierce battle, trading blows in an evenly contested game. Leveraging his superior stamina and powerful serve, Opelka edged out Djokovic in a close tie-break, taking the set 7-6.
Djokovic’s Decline, Opelka’s Opportunity
The momentum stayed with Opelka in the second set, as he maintained his composure while Djokovic began to show cracks in his game. The Serbian star repeatedly made unforced errors, particularly during crucial moments. Capitalizing on these mistakes, Opelka dominated the set and sealed an easy 6-3 victory, ending the match in a surprising turn of events.
100 ATP Titles Still Elude Djokovic
The loss to Reilly Opelka not only ended Djokovic’s run at the Brisbane International 2025 quarterfinals but also denied him the opportunity to achieve the coveted milestone of 100 ATP titles in his career. This defeat raises concerns for Djokovic as he prepares for the season’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open 2025, scheduled to take place from January 12 to 26.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic admitted:
“I didn’t play up to my potential. It was a tough match, and I’ll need to make adjustments before the Australian Open.”
Opelka Eyes Semifinal Glory
With this stunning win over Djokovic, Reilly Opelka has booked his place in the semifinals, where he will face French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The match is set to take place at 5:30 PM on January 4.
Dimitrov Advances with Ease
In another quarterfinal, second seed Grigor Dimitrov cruised past Australian Jordan Thompson, winning the first set 6-1 before his opponent retired in the second set due to an injury. Dimitrov will now face Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in the other semifinal, scheduled for 12 PM on January 4.
Brisbane International 2025 Semifinal Schedule
- Reilly Opelka vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: 5:30 PM, January 4
- Grigor Dimitrov vs. Jiri Lehecka: 12 PM, January 4
