World No. 171 Reilly Opelka knocked out Novak Djokovic from Brisbane International after a straight-set win in the quarterfinals.

Novak Djokovic wanted to start his season on a high note but unfortunately, Reilly Opelka defeated him in the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International. Opelka’s coach Denis Kudla revealed how his protege, a World No. 171, upset the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

In Brisbane, Djokovic signed up for both singles and doubles. While his doubles campaign with Nick Kyrgios ended after the second round, the Serb went past Rinky Hijikata and clinched 20 consecutive wins over Gael Monfils before defeat to the 6′ 11″ American. Kudla thinks the win over Djokovic is going give Opelka huge confidence.

We knew the percentage of him beating Djokovic was so small but then I was talking to him and his confidence and I was texting a few people and I said to them, ‘Look if he executes our game plan here, he’s going to win, he’s going to upset him and shock the world’.

Denis Kudla told The Changeover Podcast

Opelka, after upsetting Djokovic, reached the final and locked horns with Jiri Lehecka but an injury during the first set forced him to retire from the match. He also withdrew from the ASB Classic. Before the Brisbane International, the 27-year-old participated in the Charlottesville Challenger last year and was defeated in the second round.

Jacinta Allan reacts to Novak Djokovic’s trauma admission

Novak Djokovic in a recent interview revealed he experienced trauma when he arrived in Australia in 2023 and 2024 because of the deportation controversy. Because of his unvaccinated status, Djokovic, who was detained for five days, was deported from Australia because of the country’s strict rules during the pandemic.

Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the previous government for the way they handled Djokovic’s detention. Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan on the other hand has a different opinion on the issue.

The responsibility of granting visas is a matter for the federal government and those decisions were made by the federal government at the time. Covid was tough for all of us. It didn’t matter who you were, where you came from, COVID didn’t discriminate in who it infected, how sick it made you, and how sick it made others in our community.

Jacinta Allan told reporters

Djokovic however admitted that despite being traumatized, he doesn’t hold a grudge against Australia. After being denied a chance to add another Major to his trophy cabinet, Djokovic enjoyed a successful season in 2023 as he won three Grand Slam titles but was trophyless on the tour in 2024.