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American tennis player Reilly Opelka recently shared a photo hinting that he is planning a comeback to the tennis court, despite withdrawing from the 2023 Indian Wells Masters.
Opelka's last match was in August 2022 at the Citi Open in Washington, where he lost in the second round to Nick Kyrgios. However, the American has been unable to compete since then due to a hip injury, causing him to miss the last two Grand Slams.
Despite being absent from the tennis court for an extended period, Opelka has been a valuable asset to his peers by providing them with guidance. His impact was evident at the 2023 Australian Open, where he played a crucial role in guiding his compatriot, Tommy Paul, to the semifinals.
On Monday, the former World No. 17 shared a post on social media featuring his sponsor, Fila's latest collection. In the post, he expressed his disappointment at not being able to wear their new ensemble at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters and conveyed his eagerness to return to the court soon.
"Wishing I could be rocking @filatennis Tie Breaker collection in the desert this year, but hoping to see you all on court 🔜," Reilly Opelka captioned the post.
"What a shame" - Reilly Opelka laments after Novak Djokovic is reportedly denied entry into the US
Reilly Opelka has, meanwhile, voiced his strong disagreement at the news that Novak Djokovic has been denied an exemption from the vaccine mandate in the United States, effectively ending his participation in the upcoming Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open. Opelka expressed his disappointment and criticized the government for maintaining the mandate.
US Senator for Florida, Rick Scott, recently disclosed that the Department of Homeland Security denied Novak Djokovic's request for an exemption to enter the country, despite being unvaccinated. Along with his colleague, Senator Marco Rubio, Scott penned a formal letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to intervene and grant Djokovic entry into the United States.
Reacting to the situation, Opelka deeply lamented the same.
"What a shame," Reilly Opelka wrote on Instagram.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had previously confirmed that he would withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters before the draw is made if his exemption application is not approved.
As World No. 1, Djokovic is a top draw for fans and a key competitor in major tournaments. His absence would be a significant loss for the tournament.
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