Several top ATP stars are known for their speed as they chase down balls others would have no chance of reaching.
Four-time Major champion Carlos Alcaraz has gained notoriety for his quickness since making his debut in 2020.
The Spaniard’s pace is often visible during longer points as he makes his ATP Tour rivals work twice as hard to put him away.
Another top ten star, Alex de Minaur, is also considered to be one of the fastest players on tour, impressing fans with his athletic ability.
The pair battled it out in a thrilling final earlier this year, as Alcaraz beat De Minaur, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, to clinch the title in Rotterdam.
However, it’s a player ranked outside of the world’s top 100, that one former American pro thinks is the quickest in tennis today.
Sam Querrey thinks Reilly Opelka is the fastest player over 100m on the ATP Tour in 2025
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, former Wimbledon semi-finalist Sam Querrey gave his pick for the fastest player on tour.
“In a 100 metres right now, [John] Isner and I think you [Reilly Opelka] are the fastest player on tour currently,” he said.
6ft 11, Opelka believes he would beat some of the biggest names in American tennis for speed.
“Yeah, 100 meters. I am not bad,” he said.
“I definitely beat up on Tommy [Paul] and Taylor [Fritz].
“I think [Sam] Querrey in his day, [Jack] Sock is a joke.
“I don’t know if I’m beating Sock, in a 40 [metre race] I am definitely not beating Sock.”
The world number 104 then named an ATP veteran who he thinks would be a ‘nightmare’ to race against.
“[Gael] Monfils would probably be a nightmare,” said Opelka.
How has Reilly Opelka performed so far in 2025?
Coming back from a second tennis hiatus in 2024, the American returned to form this year, scoring the biggest win of his career in January.
Opelka beat Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International, 7-6, 6-3, on his way to a first ATP final in three years.
- 2025 Brisbane International SF – Reilly Opelka beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
- 2025 Brisbane International QF – Reilly Opelka beat Novak Djokovic, 7-6, 6-3
- 2025 Brisbane International 2R – Reilly Opelka beat Matteo Arnaldi, 7-6, 7-6
- 2025 Brisbane International 1R – Reilly Opelka beat Federico Gomez, 7-5, 6-4
Unable to pick up a fourth career title, Opelka retired injured against Jiri Lehecka in the Brisbane final during the first set.
Returning from injury at the Australian Open, the 27-year-old is yet to rediscover the form he showed during the first week of the season, holding a 6-5 record across his next five ATP tournaments.
| Tournament | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 2025 Miami Open | 3R | Tomas Machac | Loss | 6-7, 3-6 |
| 2025 Miami Open | 2R | Holger Rune | Win | 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2025 Miami Open | 1R | Chris Eubanks | Win | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2025 Indian Wells | 1R | Roman Safiullin | Loss | 5-7, 4-6 |
| 2025 Delray Beach Open | 2R | Brandon Nakashima | Loss | 6-3, 5-7, 2-6 |
| 2025 Delray Beach Open | 1R | Chris Eubanks | Win | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2025 Dallas Open | QF | Tommy Paul | Loss | 6-7, 2-6 |
| 2025 Dallas Open | 2R | Cameron Norrie | Win | 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2025 Dallas Open | 1R | Alexander Shevchenko | Win | 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2025 Australian Open | 2R | Tomas Machac | Loss | 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 4-6 |
| 2025 Australian Open | 1R | Gauthier Onclin | Win | 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
Opelka lost to Tomas Machac for a second time in 2025 during his last outing, as he was knocked out of the Miami Open in the third round.
Travelling to Europe for the clay court season, Opelka is next scheduled to play two tournaments in Spain, at the Barcelona and Madrid Open.
Entering the event with his Protected Ranking, the American will take to the court in Barcelona on April 14 when the tournament begins.
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