American tennis is in a strong place with ten players currently ranked inside the world’s top 100.
The ATP Tour hasn’t seen a male American Grand Slam champion in 22 years, when Andy Roddick lifted the US Open title at Flushing Meadows.
Since then, many have tried and failed to replicate his success, as the nation continues to endure its longest Major drought in history.
Taylor Fritz reached the US Open final last year, losing out to Jannik Sinner in three sets, 3-6, 4-6, 5-7.
Fritz isn’t the only American to have impressed in recent times, however, as Ben Shelton reached his second Grand Slam semi-final earlier this year, coming up short against Sinner in straight sets.
France Tiafoe and Tommy Paul have also both appeared in the semis at Major tournaments, as the nation looks ready to finally pick up a Grand Slam in men’s tennis.
While many will fairly predict that either Fritz, Shelton, Paul, or Tiafoe will be the next American to pick up a Slam, there is one other name that could spring a surprise.
Steve Johnson says Reilly Opelka can beat ‘anybody in the world’ after securing win over Novak Djokovic
On the latest edition of the Nothing Major podcast, the four hosts were drafting their ‘dream’ Team USA Davis Cup squads, as former world number 21 Steve Johnson made a bold claim while selecting his second player.
“Reilly Opelka, pretty simple,” he said.
“He’s going to beat anybody in the world when he’s healthy and he’s playing well right now.”
Opelka beat Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International earlier this year, shocking the 24-time Grand Slam champion down under.
The big-serving American advanced to the semi-finals, with a 7-6, 6-3 win over the Serb.
Johnson’s co-hosts didn’t have too much of a problem with his pick, although former world number eight John Isner hinted at why the 27-year-old may not be best suited to the Davis Cup format.
“Reilly [Opelka] loathes doubles, he hates it,” he said.
Reilly Opelka’s ATP Tour top ten wins
Opelka’s win over Djokovic in Brisbane was one of the biggest of his career, but that’s not to say he hasn’t secured other impressive victories over the years.
Since debuting in 2016, Opelka has scored eight top-ten wins, including three over members of the Nothing Major podcast.
| Tournament | Opponent | Opponent’s rank | Score |
| 2018 Delray Beach – 2R | Jack Sock | 8th | 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2019 Australian Open – 1R | John Isner | 10th | 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 |
| 2019 New York Open – SF | John Isner | 9th | 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2019 Swiss Indoors – QF | Roberto Bautista Agut | 10th | 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 2020 Cincinnati Open – 3R | Matteo Berrettini | 8th | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2020 St Petersburg Open – 2R | Daniil Medvedev | 6th | 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2021 Canadian Open – SF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 3rd | 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2025 Brisbane International – QF | Novak Djokovic | 7th | 7-6, 6-3 |
Opelka’s highest-ranked win came in Canada four years ago, when he battled through in a deciding set to beat world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The result came during the best tournament of Opelka’s career, as he reached his first Masters 1000 final with several impressive wins.
- 1R – Beat Nick Kyrgios
- 2R – Beat Grigor Dimitrov
- 3R – Beat Lloyd Harris
- QF – Beat Roberto Bautista Agut
- SF – Beat Stefanos Tsitsipas
He wasn’t quite able to bring home the title, however, as he fell in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev in the final, 4-6, 3-6.
What’s next for Reilly Opelka in 2025 after shock win over Novak Djokovic?
Backing up a massive win is always difficult on the ATP Tour, something Opelka found out at the Australian Open.
The American lost to impressive Czech star Tomas Machac in a five-set thriller, as he failed to reach the third round, where he could’ve played Djokovic once more.
Making his return this week, Opelka lost to Paul in the quarter-finals of the Dallas Open, 6-7, 2-6.
The world number 121 is set to make a swift return to action, having accepted a Wild Card to the Delray Beach ATP 250 event next week.
Having won the title in 2020, Opelka will no doubt hope to get back to winning ways with a big week in Florida.
The 2025 Delray Beach Open is set to begin on Monday, February 10.
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