A bitter setback shortly before the Australian Open: Melbourne record winner Novak Djokovic (ten titles) suffered a completely surprising defeat at the ATP tournament in Brisbane. In the quarterfinals, the 37-year-old tennis star lost 6:7 (6:8), 3:6 against the world number 293. Reilly Opelka from the USA.
Novak Djokovic, who will be coached by Andy Murray from this season, had previously been in good form in Brisbane – but was unable to find his game against the serve specialist Opelka.
From January 12th, the Serb wants to reach for his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and extend his record in this category.
Opelka, a former top 20 player, had struggled with severe injury problems in recent years and only played a single match on the tour in 2023. The 27-year-old will now face French youngster Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (21) in the semi-finals.
“He is the greatest player of all time,” Opelka said of Djokovic: But the truth is that we have nothing to lose by playing against him. In the end you play more freely and take more risks because that’s the only chance to beat him.”