In Djokovic's first tournament of the year, the quarterfinals of the ATP tournament in Brisbane, the loss came.
The tournament is Djokovic's preparation for the Australian Open, which he has won a whole ten times.
American Opelka played a great game and got in all 16 serves during the match that ended 7–6, 6–3.
I was just focused on my positions on the court. If I hit them, it's hard to return. But if there's anyone who can do it, it's him, Opelka said after the match and elaborated:
I have nothing to lose against him. He is the best player ever. So you play more freely and take more risks. If you play at your normal level or just a little above your normal level, he wins every time. So it's tough to be in his position because he gets to meet good guys who dare to take risks.
Opelka has been ranked as high as 17th in the world, in 2022. After a hip operation the same year, he has now fallen to 293rd place.
