Reilly Opelka makes winning return in Newport

After nearly two years out of ATP Tour action, American Reilly Opelka is back on the court—and back in the win column—this week at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport.

The former world No. 17 underwent surgeries on his hip and later his wrist since his last tour-level appearance, in Washington, D.C., in August 2022. Last October, he won a match on the USTA Pro Circuit in Charlottesville, but had to pull out of the tournament with lingering wrist pain.

On the grass of Newport, Opelka has picked up where he left off in 2022, when he firmly established himself as a Top 20 star. He followed an opening win this week against Constant Lestienne with an upset of top seed Adrian Mannarino, both in three sets.

"It was nice to be back. It felt like longer than two years," Opelka said after his first-round win. "It was just nice to find my level again. I'm still just getting my sea legs and trying to figure everything out. But yeah, it's great to be back."

Discussing his injury layoff, the 26-year-old later added: “It is what it is. It's part of sports. Luckily, I feel like I'm just kind of picking right back up from where I left in D.C.

Opelka's hip surgery was a success and helped him add more leg drive to his serve thanks to the increased mobility. But recovery from his wrist operation proved more complicated, as detailed in an ATPTour.com feature. After seeing specialists around the world, Opelka is now fully on the mend—though he still expects some setbacks.

The US Open awaits next month, if his body allows. The 6-foot-11 American has entered his home Grand Slam with a protected ranking and is on track for his first major appearance since Wimbledon in 2022.

If his Newport success is any indication, Opelka will be a threat in New York. After hitting 16 aces in a 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(2), win against Lestienne, he hit 19 in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory against world No. 25 Mannarino. While Mannarino has been below is best with an 8-17 record in 2024, the Frenchman has won two grass titles and owns a 58% career win rate on the lawns, his best of any surface.