Reilly Opelka and Naomi Osaka suffered injury scares on the eve of this year’s Australian Open, as their respective final appearances had to be cut short in Brisbane and Auckland respectively – seeing history made for a pair of rising Europeans who haven’t always got the shine their talent deserves at the top.
Opelka reveals back troublesome issues
IT’S not how Jiri Lehecka would’ve liked to clinch a first ATP trophy in twelve months and second overall – both in Australia – but you make your own luck, as the old adage goes.
The 23-year-old Czech talent pitched a trio of victories over Holger Rune, Yoshihito Nishioka and Nicolas Jarry before a pair of injury-enforced retirements against Grigor Dimitrov and Opelka in consecutive matchdays saw him secure another ATP 250 title.
Leading 4-1 after barely 15 minutes on court, it was quickly evident the big-serving American across from him was having movement issues and the pain proved too much to soldier on much longer. Lehecka, who has suffered troublesome back injuries himself, spoke well during the trophy presentation.
“It’s never easy to finish a match this way, I know how you feel… it’s been an honour to see you back on tour and if your body can take it, you’ll be here for many more years.”
Opelka, who already rose more than 100 ranking places with this week’s surprise run, serves as another example of the servebot-type player this sport seemingly phased out a decade ago.
Now though, there are half-a-dozen players within the world’s top 100 – Hubert Hurkacz, Bublik, Mpetshi-Perricard et al – whose booming strength to kickstart rallies (or finish them) has proven an unavoidable weapon to contend with.
“Jiri had his breakthrough when I watched at home but I’ve been really looking forward to the matchup, my back’s been giving me some issues and the tournament doctor [as well as other medical support staff]… they’re unbelievable at throwing the kitchen sink at it, but it wasn’t right enough to compete. Hopefully I’ll come back next year and redeem myself.”
Osaka out again
After an encouraging four-match winning run to start her season, it ended in agony for four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka as an abdominal injury forced her withdrawal, while leading 6-4 in her first WTA final for almost three years.
The 27-year-old believes it’s not a serious issue and remains optimistic about her participation in next week’s Australian Open, though an MRI beckons as a precautionary measure for a two-time tournament champion who just returned to the world’s top-50 after ending a long maternity break this time last year.
Tauson, who beat a trio of Americans in Sofia Kenin, Madison Keys and Robin Montgomery to reach the finale, turned 22 two weekends ago and will hope this title – a first since September 2021 – is the springboard to sustained success having suffered knee and back injuries since bursting onto the WTA scene as a teenager.
Elsewhere in Brisbane, Sabalenka endured a scare against Russia’s hard-hitting 21-year-old Polina Kudermetova, but wrestled back control to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in just under two hours and continue her formidable form down Under with another pre-Australian Open title – a second in three years and 16th career hard court title.
Picture source: Getty Images
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