Lehecka Beats Opelka for Brisbane Title

Written by Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 5, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Hyde/Getty

Jiri Lehecka you have the ability to start from the top down.

23-year-old Lehecka led the rebels Reilly Opelka4-1, when the 6'11″ American retired from today's Brisbane International final with a knee injury.

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It's Lehecka's second championship—and it marks the second year in a row that he opened the season with a title Down Under.

Last January, Lehecka defeated Nicolas Jarry, Sebastian Korda and Jack Draper in succession to capture his first championship in Adelaide.

A sad end to a great week…

Speedy recovery Reilly 🙏 Congratulations to our Hero in Brisbane @jirilehecka 🏆#Brisbaneinternational pic.twitter.com/rXZ45lsLjn

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025

This week, Lehecka came out with her third child Holger Rune, Yoshihito NishiokaJarry, the defending champion Grigor Dimitrov and Opelka in the final of the injury summary.

Lehecka dropped just one set en route to the title becoming the second youngest champion in Brisbane history behind the 22-year-old. Nick Kyrgioswho beat Ryan Harrison in the 2018 finals.

“It's not easy to end a game like this, I know how Reilly feels,” said Lehecka. “It was an honor to see you play and if your body can take it you will be there for many years. “It's been a good week for me in Brisbane. I love playing here in Australia.

“I want to thank everyone for coming to watch and my team.”

Good to have you back Reilly 🙌

What a week it was:
Rd 1 def Federico Agustin Gomez
7-5 6-4 ✅
Rd of 16 def Matteo Arnaldi
7-6 7-6 ✅
QF vs. Novak Djokovic
7-6 6-3
SF def Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
6-3 7-6 ✅#Brisbaneinternational pic.twitter.com/5QxiDZuS71

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025

World No. 293 Opelka, who overthrew Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic and back-to-back kills by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to reach a seven-game final, made history as the lowest seed to reach the final in Brisbane.

Opelka, sidelined for nearly two full years after undergoing hip surgery and two wrist surgeries, climbs to No. 171 in the ATP Live Rankings and, if healthy, figures to be strong in Melbourne.