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Reilly Opelka has revealed that he has completely recovered from a hip injury that sidelined him since August last year and was set for a comeback last month. However, he suffered a wrist injury at the time, further delaying his comeback plans.
The towering American star last competed at the Citi Open in Washington D.C. Since then, he has dropped from No. 17 to No. 138 in the ATP rankings as he closes in on an eight-month layoff from the tour.
Opelka recently reflected on his troubles, shedding light on how he first suffered the hip injury. He is grateful that the injury, which required surgery, was not too serious and he is confident of a full recovery. The 25-year-old is looking at the bigger picture and believes he will be in his best shape once his current wrist issue is taken care of.
"Once my wrist heals up, I'll hopefully be in the best shape of my life," Reilly Opelka said on a recent episode of The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast.
Opelka's hip injury last year was the result of an unfortunate incident.
"I had a procedure (on the hip). I took a fall on the court and wiped out. It was very awkward...I'll make a full recovery, there's no big concern. They didn't have to open up the joint, it was just outside of it. If you're looking at the brighter side of things, that's it. I'll make a full recovery, it'll all be fine. I just have to be patient," he explained.
He also shared details of his comeback plans, revealing that he will need to stay off the court for two more months. But once he begins training again, he could return even sooner than expected, depending on his recovery. Opelka expressed intentions to return only when he feels completely ready.
"I'm really hoping to get the racquet in my hands in two months or so. Then, its hard to say. I'm not putting a timeline, I want to make sure I'm ready and fit, that's more important to me," the American added.
"I just want to make sure that I'm playing my best tennis when I'm 30" - Reilly Opelka
Reilly Opelka confirmed his absence for the entirety of the clay-court season, ending with the French Open, but is still hopeful of being match-fit in time for Wimbledon. He does not want to feel over-optimistic about his recovery and comeback plans, with his focus solely on a long-term future in the sport. Opelka suggested that he does not mind taking longer to make a comeback now if that helps him be completely injury-free in the future.
"Its hard to say. French (Open) I'm out. Wrist, arm, elbow, once you shut that thing down for a couple of months, you just never know. You never know what bumps could come in the road, how things can flare up," Reilly Opelka said on the same.
"Like I said, I just want to make sure that I'm playing my best tennis when I'm 30 years old."
Opelka last won an ATP singles title in April last year, beating fellow American John Isner to win the ATP 250 tournament in Houston. He is set to fall further in the rankings after dropping those points next week.
