Reilly Opelka, towering at 6 feet 11 inches, made a powerful comeback in 2025 after battling injuries over the past two seasons. At the Brisbane International, he stormed into his first semifinal of the year by stunning Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, winning 7-6(6), 6-3. After his big upset, Opelka praised Djokovic during the interview, saying, “He’s the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen.” Despite the challenges, he’s showing he still commands the court with his fierce serve and grit.

The American’s rise started with his first ATP title at the 2019 New York Open, and he’s since added three more singles wins. A career highlight was reaching the 2022 Canadian Open Masters final, defeating top player Stefanos Tsitsipas along the way. Though a hip surgery slowed him down, he bounced back to reach a career-best No. 17 ranking and made a fourth-round run at the 2021 US Open. Through all the ups and downs, he’s had the unwavering support of his parents, fueling his drive on the ATP Tour.

Who are Reilly Opelka’s parents?

Reilly’s parents are Lynne and George Opelka, both Americans likely in their 60s, though their exact ages remain private. George earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama and started his career as a sales executive in real estate at DAMAR Corporation in Chicago. Over time, he broadened his expertise into sales, marketing, software development, and finance. Reilly is also the nephew of Mike Opelka, a noted American radio broadcaster and television producer!

The Opelka family includes Reilly, Lynne, George, and his sister, Brenna, making them a close-knit bunch. His parents have balanced their busy professional lives while raising their children, creating a strong family foundation that helped shape Reilly’s journey both on and off the court. But where did their story begin?

Where did George Opelka and Lynne Opelka meet?

While details about when or where Lynne and George Opelka met remain a mystery, one thing’s clear: they played a huge role in shaping his tennis journey. When Reilly was just four, the family moved to Palm Coast, Florida, setting the stage for his early training. His dad introduced him to tennis at that young age by connecting him with Tom Gullikson, a former pro and Grand Slam winner. George actually met Gullikson while golfing at a recreational club and didn’t waste time asking him to coach Reilly as a kid. Fun fact: Gullikson snagged second place at Wimbledon in 1983 and won the US Open Championships in 1984.

As Reilly’s game grew, so did the challenges. He started training under Gullikson but switched gears at 12, joining the United States Tennis Association to find stronger competition nearby. Throughout it all, his parents stayed tight with him, showing up, supporting, and making sure he had what he needed to thrive.

Inside Reilly Opelka’s relationship with his parents

George Opelka is a true sports fan and a big reason behind Reilly’s focused approach to tennis. He made sure his son dodged distractions and stuck to the discipline needed to play at the highest level. Mom Lynne shares this passion, often seen cheering from the players’ box and having driven him to early lessons in Michigan. George’s support goes beyond the court; he’s involved with SwingVision, a tech company using AI and stats to help players improve, especially those without full-time coaches.

Winter in Michigan meant Reilly practiced on indoor courts, but Lynne was quick to provide whatever he needed to sharpen his skills. When the family moved to Florida, they rented a condo near the USTA training center in Boca Raton to make his tennis commute easier. Balancing school and sport was key, and Reilly completed his education through Florida Virtual School. Their efforts paid off when Reilly won the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 2015.

This year, after a headline-grabbing win against Novak Djokovic at Brisbane, Reilly’s season has been a rollercoaster. He took on a five-set battle at the Australian Open and shocked many by reaching the Libéma Open semifinals as a lucky loser, upsetting top seed Daniil Medvedev. His US Open run ended early to Carlos Alcaraz, but he’s shown grit and flashes of his powerful game.

Now, Reilly Opelka is set to represent Team World at the Laver Cup, with his first match against Casper Ruud from Team Europe creating plenty of excitement!