Reilly Opelka: Height, Sister, and Injury Update
There’s a reason tennis fans keep asking about Reilly Opelka — and it’s not just his 6’11” frame. Between an injury comeback that’s been slower than hoped, his sister’s own rising tennis career, and an unexpected mention by Daniil Medvedev during a chaotic match, Opelka’s story is layered with human drama.
Height: 6’11” (211 cm) ·
Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg) ·
Career-high ranking: No. 17 ·
Turned pro: 2015 ·
Plays: Right-handed
Quick snapshot
- Height: 6’11” (211 cm), tied with Ivo Karlovic as tallest-ever ATP player (Laver Cup)
- Career-high ranking: No. 17 (August 2022) (Tennis.com)
- Sister Brenna Opelka is a tennis player (USTA Southern California)
- Won Wimbledon junior boys’ title in 2015 (Laver Cup) (Laver Cup)
- Whether Opelka is married or in a relationship
- Exact net worth (no verified public disclosure)
- Full timeline of hip/wrist recovery and return to top form
- Predictions for sustained ranking climb
- 2023: Hip surgery, missed tournaments (Tennis.com) (Tennis.com)
- 2024: Medvedev references Opelka during match (Tennis.com)
- 2025: Ranking climbed from 171 to 67 after comeback (Tennis.com) (Tennis.com)
- June 2025: Beat Daniil Medvedev in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Laver Cup) (Tennis.com)
- Continues comeback after two-year injury layoff
- Aiming for top-50 return; currently No. 67 (Tennis.com)
- Potential Grand Slam wildcard entries
- Sister Brenna’s pro career development
Ten key facts, one pattern: Opelka’s career is defined by extreme height, early success, injury disruption, and a family connection to the sport.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Reilly Opelka |
| Date of birth | August 28, 1997 |
| Place of birth | St. Joseph, Michigan, USA |
| Height | 6’11” (211 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lbs (102 kg) |
| Turned pro | 2015 |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Career-high singles ranking | No. 17 (August 2022) |
| Current singles ranking | No. 132 (as of March 2025) |
| Grand Slam best result | 4th round (US Open 2019, 2021; Wimbledon 2022) |
Is Reilly Opelka the tallest tennis player ever?
What is Reilly Opelka’s height?
Opelka is officially listed at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) by both the Laver Cup and the Roland Garros official profile (which also records his weight at 225 lbs / 102 kg). He has occasionally claimed he is closer to 7’0″, according to a 2019 Wall Street Journal profile.
How does Reilly Opelka compare to other tall tennis players?
Four players, one pattern: Opelka shares the tallest-ever ATP ranking with a fellow giant.
| Player | Height | Career-high ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Ivo Karlovic | 6’11” (211 cm) | No. 14 |
| Reilly Opelka | 6’11” (211 cm) | No. 17 |
| John Isner | 6’10” (208 cm) | No. 8 |
| Kevin Anderson | 6’8″ (203 cm) | No. 5 |
Opelka’s extreme height is a double-edged sword: his serve is a top-tier weapon, but his mobility has been compromised by hip and wrist injuries that his frame may have aggravated. The Wall Street Journal noted that even at 21 he was dealing with foot, back, and mononucleosis issues — a pattern that continued.
The implication: Opelka is among the tallest players in ATP history, but height alone hasn’t translated into a top-10 breakthrough — injuries have repeatedly stalled his momentum.
Why did Medvedev say Reilly Opelka?
What was the context of Medvedev’s comment?
During a heated 2024 match at the DC Open, Daniil Medvedev taunted the booing crowd and blamed the chair umpire, in a moment that went viral. According to Tennis.com, Medvedev referenced Opelka in his remarks, though the exact phrasing remains debated. The incident underscored the tension between the Russian and American players, who have a history of competitive matches.
What did Medvedev say about Opelka?
Medvedev’s comment was directed at the umpire and the crowd, not Opelka directly. He reportedly said something like “You’re like Reilly Opelka” — a jab at the umpire’s perceived lack of control. The Tennis.com report frames it as part of Medvedev’s ongoing theatrical antics, but the mention of Opelka was unexpected.
“Medvedev taunted the booing crowd and blamed the chair umpire, referencing Reilly Opelka in his remarks.”
— Tennis.com
The pattern: Medvedev’s comment turned Opelka into an unexpected meme, but it also highlighted how top players view Opelka as a notable — and tall — presence on tour.
Is Reilly Opelka married?
Does Reilly Opelka have a wife?
As of 2025, there is no public record of Reilly Opelka being married. He has not announced a marriage or engagement, and his social media does not indicate a partner. The Laver Cup and Roland Garros profiles list no spouse or relationship details.
Is Reilly Opelka in a relationship?
No confirmed relationship information is available. Opelka keeps his personal life private, and no credible media reports have surfaced.
What this means: For fans curious about his personal life, the answer is simply “not publicly known.” Opelka’s focus appears to be on his tennis comeback.
Who is Reilly Opelka’s sister?
What is Brenna Opelka known for?
Brenna Opelka is Reilly’s older sister and a tennis player in her own right. A 2025 feature by USTA Southern California highlighted her journey, describing her as “a talented player from Los Angeles” and part of the “This Is…” series.
Is Reilly Opelka’s sister also a tennis player?
Yes. Brenna Opelka plays tennis and has been active in the USTA Southern California section. The same feature quotes her saying she is “proud of Reilly and happy to see him back after being out on injury for two years.”
“I’m proud of Reilly and happy to see him back after being out on injury for two years.”
— Brenna Opelka, quoted in USTA Southern California
The trade-off: While Reilly gets the headlines, Brenna is carving her own path — and the sibling bond adds a human layer to the Opelka story.
What happened to Reilly Opelka?
What injury did Reilly Opelka have?
Opelka was sidelined from August 2022 to July 2024 with hip and wrist injuries, according to Laver Cup. He underwent hip surgery in 2023. The Tennis.com report confirms he missed “most of the last two seasons.” His ranking dropped from No. 17 to 132.
What is Reilly Opelka’s current status?
As of early 2025, Opelka is back on tour. He started 2025 ranked 171 and climbed to 67 after a win over Novak Djokovic at the start of the year (Tennis.com). He also beat Daniil Medvedev in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and notched wins over Holger Rune and Alex de Minaur (Laver Cup).
Opelka’s comeback is real but fragile. His ranking jump from 171 to 67 shows he can still compete at a high level, but his injury history raises questions about durability. The Tennis.com report notes he is a “former world No. 17” — a reminder that he’s fighting to reclaim that status.
Why this matters: Opelka’s career trajectory is a test of whether a player with his physical tools can overcome chronic injury and return to the ATP elite.
Timeline: Reilly Opelka’s career milestones
- August 2015: Turns professional after winning Wimbledon junior boys’ title (Laver Cup)
- August 2022: Reaches career-high ranking of No. 17 (Tennis.com)
- 2023: Undergoes hip surgery, misses multiple tournaments (Tennis.com)
- February 2024: Medvedev references Opelka during a match (Tennis.com)
- 2024–2025: Continues recovery from injury, ranking drops to 132, then climbs to 67 (Tennis.com)
The pattern: Opelka’s timeline is a story of peaks and valleys — a junior champion who reached the top 20, then lost two years to injury, and is now fighting his way back.
Clarity: What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Opelka is 6’11” (211 cm) — tied as tallest-ever ATP player (Laver Cup)
- His sister is Brenna Opelka, a tennis player (USTA Southern California)
- He turned pro in 2015 (Laver Cup)
- Career-high ranking: No. 17 (Tennis.com)
- Underwent hip surgery in 2023 (Tennis.com)
- Four ATP singles titles (Laver Cup)
What’s unclear
- Whether Opelka is married or in a relationship
- His exact net worth
- Precise nature and timeline of his injury recovery
- Predictions for his career return to top 50
The clarity: Confirmed facts outweigh uncertainties, but personal details remain private.
Summary
Reilly Opelka is one of the tallest players in tennis history, with a career-high ranking of No. 17 and a powerful serve that made him a threat. But two years lost to hip and wrist injuries have reshaped his trajectory. Now back on tour, he’s shown flashes of his old form — beating Djokovic and Medvedev in 2025 — but the road to sustained success is uncertain. For tennis fans in the U.S., the question is whether Opelka can stay healthy long enough to turn his 6’11” frame into a top-50 mainstay, or whether his body will continue to betray his talent.
en.wikipedia.org, medienet.dk, lavercup.com, sportskeeda.com, townandcountrymag.com, biographywallah.com, tennis-infinity.com, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Reilly Opelka’s net worth?
There is no publicly verified net worth figure. Estimates vary widely, but no official disclosure exists.
When did Reilly Opelka turn pro?
He turned professional in August 2015 after winning the Wimbledon junior boys’ title (Laver Cup).
What is Reilly Opelka’s highest ranking?
His career-high singles ranking is No. 17, achieved in August 2022 (Tennis.com).
Does Reilly Opelka have any brothers?
He has a sister, Brenna Opelka, but no public information about brothers is available.
What is Reilly Opelka’s playing style?
He is a right-handed server with a two-handed backhand. His game is built around a powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, typical of tall players.
What is Reilly Opelka’s next tournament?
Tournament schedules change frequently. Check the ATP Tour official calendar for the latest updates.
How old is Reilly Opelka?
He was born on August 28, 1997, making him 27 years old (as of 2025).
Where does Reilly Opelka live?
He is from St. Joseph, Michigan, but currently resides in Florida for training purposes. Exact address is not public.
Related reading
- Pat Cummins: Injury, IPL 2027, Wife, Children & Career — Another athlete profile covering injury and career trajectory.
- David Laid: Scoliosis, Height, Net Worth & More — Focuses on extreme height and physical attributes, similar to Opelka’s story.
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