The American tennis player Reilly Opelka gave an interview to Racquet to take stock of his season, where he won the title at the ATP 250 in Delray Beach and managed to reach some final rounds thanks mainly to his powerful serve. In addition, the current world number 39 defended Novak Djokovic for the criticism received in recent months about the creation of the PTPA.
-The North American was one of the tennis players who most criticized the ATP for how they were doing things during the pandemic:
“In the restart of the competition there were many positive things. I do not want to constantly criticize the ATP either, because we were in a somewhat delicate situation around the world and many things were happening that did not compete with the ATP, but I think there could be made things better. I think the top guys should be in every tournament. If you’re going to ask your players to play all these tournaments, I think you should show up there as an executive. Despite what I’m saying, I think they did a good job in fighting to get tennis back as quickly as possible and without spending a lot of money. Many players also have to be congratulated. Tennis players like Thiem, Schwartzman, Bautista, Zverev, Medvedev … They all have money to spare not to put down they put their health at risk for playing an ATP 250, but they still did it for charity. “
-Tournament where he felt safest:
“I think the US Open did a sensational job. It is true that there was a somewhat unfortunate situation with Guido Pella and Hugo Dellien. Other than that, I think the tournament was sensational and they more than met expectations. Roland Garros did very well too. St. Petersburg was not bad at all, although there was an incident there that did not come to light and that endangered both a tennis player and his family. Still nothing happened and the tournament took place without further incident and without any incident. tennis player tested positive. “
-The worst of the disputed after the tennis break:
“The Antwerp tournament is the worst tournament I have played this year. I want to be seeded in a Grand Slam and thus avoid the great tennis players in the first rounds. For this reason I decided to play the Antwerp tournament, because I did not want to measure myself to a Novak Djokovic at the first exchange. I want to win games, move up the rankings and obviously make money. After losing to Coric in St. Petersburg I had to stay a couple more days because I was playing doubles with Bublik. When We lost in the semifinals I started to prepare everything to travel to Belgium. To get to Antwerp I had to make many stops: from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, from Moscow to London, in London I had to change airport, then take another plane to Brussels and then another From Brussels to Antwerp. When I arrived I found out that I was playing the next day, without having trained yet at their facilities. Everything was very badly prepared. If I had won the tournament, I would have thought the same as well. “
-Tennis Australia plans to do a very safe Australian Open:
“Looking at the latest news, everything indicates that the Australian Open will be the safest tournament. Very few people can complain about this. I think we tennis players will be very safe and try to enjoy the first Grand Slam of the season to the fullest.”
-Opelka comes out in defense of Novak Djokovic for the creation of the PTPA:
“It’s frustrating to see a tennis player like Djokovic generate bad press for things or situations that are not true at all. Nole is a really nice guy. He doesn’t need to bother to approach me to talk to me after a game and ask me about my problems. physical. That is not very common in the circuit. Djokovic is a person who cares a lot about tennis, not only for the boys, but also for the girls and the doubles, “he concluded.
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