Opelka Approaching Delray Beach Return as 'Perfect' Start to 2021

Adapting to unique and challenging circumstances was certainly the story of professional tennis in 2020 — and for Reilly Opelka, that began as early as last February at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com.

Shortly before the sport went on a nearly six-month hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American captured his second career ATP title at his hometown tournament — a run which saw him win a trio of three-setters, and double up with dramatic semifinal and final victories on the event’s last day thanks to inclement weather. Eleven months later, the 6-foot-11 American returns to the ATP 250 event for the fourth time in his career hoping to lean on his track record of success as defending champion — but during a different week on the calendar. 

Earlier this month, the ATP announced that the event will be held in the first week of January in 2021 instead of its traditional mid-February position, making Opelka one in a host of players using the tournament as preparation for the first Grand Slam of the season at the Australian Open.

“I've been going to the event [since I was] a little kid, since I think [I was] 11, 12 years old. It was cool to win an event that I used to go watch. I beat some really good players, and especially the last day was a really unique scenario that doesn’t happen too often,” Opelka told reporters in a pre-tournament conference call on Wednesday. 

“It’s definitely different than it was last year. Last year, I had some matches under my belt… I started off the year really, really poorly. Last year, I remember by the time the Delray Beach Open came about, I had some matches in me, I had some things I was focusing on. Things that worked well for me in Australia, things that didn’t. It was a completely different mindset. 

“Now I’m just… I’m starting my year. It’s been a long time since a tournament, so my mindset here is, ‘Let’s just get back into tournament mode, and let’s start a prep for my prep for 2021.’ More so, like, big picture. It’s really nice that it’s in my backyard. I still have to bubble at the hotel, but it’s really nice that I don’t have to travel… I get a nice warm up for Australia, haven’t played a couple months — so it’s perfect.”

With three months having lapsed between his last tournament — a first-round loss to compatriot Taylor Fritz in Antwerp in October — and the start of his 2021 season, Opelka hopes the commitment he’s made to fitness in his extended offseason will pay off. Troubled by a right knee injury in the final months of 2020, the 23-year-old was forced to retire against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open in New York — his best result at a Masters 1000 event to date — Opelka proclaims himself physically ready for the rigors that come with a full tour year.

“My knee’s doing great. We had to take a lot of time off and spend a lot of time working on it. It was stubborn and I really needed the three months that I had off, which was nice,” Opelka said. “Regardless, the timing of everything coming at the end of the year was great. [I’m] pretty confident in moving forward. I really hope it holds up. That is kind of the million-dollar question for me, ‘How [is it] going to hold up?’ I’m confident that it will, but you never know.

“I've emphasized my body a lot this off-season. So I want to really prioritize going into the year 100 percent healthy. I think this is just a nice place for me to start. Ranking-wise, I have nothing to gain and I have nothing to lose, which is nice as well. It's just it's really going to be for me to find my tennis.”

The world No. 39 is projected to be the No. 6 seed in next week’s main draw, which is expected to boast Canada’s Milos Raonic as its top seed. Former champions Frances Tiafoe and Sam Querrey are also committed to the field, as is John Isner.

“The field’s incredible. They have a lot of really great players,” Opelka added. “You’ve got probably one of the most high-level entry fields that they've seen. I know it’s going to be tough… I’m just there to see where my level’s at and see how, see how my tennis is holding up after being being on such a hiatus for a while.”

Having lost in the first round of each of the three Grand Slams played in 2020, the ATP's second-most prolific server is hoping that the best is yet to come on the biggest stages in both 2021 and beyond.

“I want to I want to make some runs in the Slams and make some runs in the Masters [1000 events],” he said.  “I like winning… I want to compete for every point, try to win. I don’t like losing, but it’s more so for me to have some matches under my belt and just see how my body’s responding. See what I’m doing well, what I’m not because there are going to be some things that are rusty. 

“My goals for 2021 are to stay healthy, really make sure I’m getting stronger and getting fitter and that I’m able to play a full season without too many setbacks.”