It may seem bold, considering his recent struggles with injuries and limited appearances on tour. Still, I think there are several reasons why Opelka should be poised for a big comeback in this upcoming season.
His physical tools are his significant advantage. His service is among the most effective weapons in the game, and his baseline groundstroke game doesn't belong to the bad category either. A full healthy season could see him rack up free points and dominate on faster surfaces like grass or indoor hard. He has also shown flashes of his potential in the past, winning multiple ATP titles, reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam, and reaching the career-high ranking of 17. These achievements prove he can compete at the highest level when fully fit.
What else can work in his favour? I think it's the fact that the ATP Tour is currently in a state of "flux." With several top players retiring or declining, there’s a power vacuum in the rankings. Younger players are stepping up, but there’s plenty of room for a player like Opelka to make a significant jump with consistent results. Look at GMP, he's a great example of this.
So this year, I expect Opelka to perform well in tournaments like Wimbledon, US Open, and some Masters + ATP 500 events played on hard courts. If he stays healthy and accumulates consistent performances, cracking the Top 20 is not just possible, it's very likely to happen.
His physical tools are his significant advantage. His service is among the most effective weapons in the game, and his baseline groundstroke game doesn't belong to the bad category either. A full healthy season could see him rack up free points and dominate on faster surfaces like grass or indoor hard. He has also shown flashes of his potential in the past, winning multiple ATP titles, reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam, and reaching the career-high ranking of 17. These achievements prove he can compete at the highest level when fully fit.
What else can work in his favour? I think it's the fact that the ATP Tour is currently in a state of "flux." With several top players retiring or declining, there’s a power vacuum in the rankings. Younger players are stepping up, but there’s plenty of room for a player like Opelka to make a significant jump with consistent results. Look at GMP, he's a great example of this.
So this year, I expect Opelka to perform well in tournaments like Wimbledon, US Open, and some Masters + ATP 500 events played on hard courts. If he stays healthy and accumulates consistent performances, cracking the Top 20 is not just possible, it's very likely to happen.
