Reilly Opelka's Resurgence: From Rehab Buddy to Hall of Fame Semifinalist

Reilly Opelka's remarkable journey from injury-stricken rehab buddy to Infosys Hall of Fame Open quarterfinalist is a testament to his resilience and the power of friendship. During his nearly two-year hiatus from tennis, Opelka found solace in the support of fellow American Mackenzie McDonald, who had endured similar struggles with a torn hamstring.

McDonald's unwavering support during Opelka's darkest days left a lasting impression. "He came down to my house just to hang out with me for a few days on his time off, just to check in on me," Opelka recalled. "That's just the kind of guy that Mackie is."

Now, reunited in Newport, both players are thriving. Opelka defeated McDonald in a hard-fought quarterfinal, showcasing his signature serve that produced 27 aces. Despite being the lowest-ranked semifinalist in the ATP era, Opelka is playing with newfound freedom and confidence.

"These guys don't want to lose to a guy who hasn't played in two years," Opelka said. "So I'm playing with house money and it allows me to be a little bit more free."

Opelka's injury woes began in 2022 with a benign tumor removal surgery. A subsequent wrist injury derailed his comeback attempt, requiring two surgeries. The setbacks forced him to confront the possibility of retirement.

"I was ready to pivot," Opelka admitted. "But I'm pretty confident I'll land on my feet."

However, Opelka's love for tennis prevailed. He has embraced his second chance, winning over top seed Adrian Mannarino and Constant Lestienne in Newport. Next up is 19-year-old Alex Michelsen, who reminds Opelka of Taylor Fritz.

Opelka plans to continue his comeback at Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before returning to Grand Slam play at the US Open. His protected ranking will allow him to compete in his first major since Wimbledon two years ago.

Opelka's journey is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, friendship and determination can pave the way for triumph.

Tags: #ReillyOpelka, #MackenzieMcDonald, #InjuryRecovery, #HallOfFameOpen, #TennisComeback