By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 5, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Hyde/Getty
Jiri Lehecka has a flair for starting on top Down Under.
The 23-year-old Lehecka led resurgent Reilly Opelka, 4-1, when the 6’11” American retired from today’s Brisbane International final due to a a back injury.
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It’s Lehecka’s second career championship—and marks the second year in a row he’s opened a season taking a title Down Under.
Last January, Lehecka defeated Nicolas Jarry, Sebastian Korda and Jack Draper in succession to capture his maiden championship in Adelaide.
An unfortunate ending to a great week …Speedy recovery Reilly 🙏 Congratulations to our Champion in Brisbane @jirilehecka 🏆#Brisbaneinternational pic.twitter.com/rXZ45lsLjn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025
This week, Lehecka knocked off third-seeded Holger Rune, Yoshihito Nishioka, Jarry, defending-champion Grigor Dimitrov and Opelka in an injury-shortened final.
Lehecka dropped just one set en route to the title becoming the second-youngest men’s champion in Brisbane history following 22-year-old Nick Kyrgios, who beat Ryan Harrison in the 2018 final.
“It is never easy to finish a match this way, I know how you feel Reilly,” Lehecka said. “It has been an honor to see you back playing and if your body can take it you will be there for many more years. “It was a great week for me in Brisbane. I just love to play here in Australia.
“I want to thank everyone for coming to watch and my team.”
Great 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 def 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 toppled Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic and lethal-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in succession to reach his seventh career final, made history as the lowest-ranked man to reach the Brisbane final.
Opelka, who was sidelined nearly two full years after undergoing hip surgery and two wrist surgeries, rises to No. 171 in the ATP Live Rankings and, if healthy, figures to be a force in Melbourne.
