'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Reilly Opelka last played a match in August 2022 at the Citi Open in Washington, going out in the second round to Nick Kyrgios. The American has since been out of action due to a hip injury, missing the last two Grand Slams in a row.
Though Opelka was due to return at the Delray Beach Open next week, sources close to The Palm Beach Post have reported that the World No. 44 is not ready yet. Among those who were looking forward to seeing Opelka in action was close friend Taylor Fritz, who is currently in action at the Dallas Open and is expected to play at Delray Beach after that.
With Opelka's leave of absence extending, Fritz expressed his sadness, remarking that it was "awful" to see him out for such a long time. Fritz himself is constantly traveling the world for tournaments, and he lamented not being able to spend much time with Reilly Opelka because of his injury before wishing him well during the recovery.
"It's awful. He started last year really strong. He was playing really good tennis. It sucks. It could happen to any of us at any time," Fritz said. "You never know when you can be out for 8 months. It's really sad to see. He's one of my best friends. I look forward to seeing him. Haven't gotten to spend a ton of time with him because he hasn't been at tournaments.''
Fritz, the top seed in Dallas, takes on Jack Sock in the second round of the ATP 250 event on Thursday. Opelka, meanwhile, is at risk of moving out of the top 50 after earning a career-best ranking of World No. 17 in February 2022.
Reilly Opelka helped Tommy Paul at Australian Open even though he wasn't there in person
Although Reilly Opelka was not at the 2023 Australian Open, his presence was felt at the tournament as the American helped guide compatriot Tommy Paul into the semifinals.
Speaking to the press after reaching the quarterfinals, Paul revealed that Opelka had been coaching him all week, sending him scouting reports about his opponents. Paul fell to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the penultimate stage, his first time reaching that round at a Grand Slam.
"[Reilly Opelka] actually has been giving me all of my scouting reports. He's basically been my coach this week," Paul said.
Paul, who went on to represent the United States at the Davis Cup qualifiers last week, expressed hope that Opelka would extend the same support once more, joking that he planned to hit him up ahead of the clash against Uzbekistan.
"When the (Australian Open) started I was texting Reilly (Opelka) a bunch about the players I was playing and he was giving me the scouting reports," he said. "Every morning when I’d wake up for a match, he was sending me a long paragraph about what to do against certain players… maybe I’ll hit him up tomorrow!"
Whether he did or not, the US team secured their place in the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals, sailing past Uzbekistan with a commanding 4-0 win.
