Reilly Opelka is no stranger to making big statements, and he's definitely not a fan of people trying to use a backdoor to gain the upper hand.
In a Q&A session on his Instagram account, Reilly Opelka was quizzed by a curious fan on the changes he would introduce to tennis besides abolishing doubles, and he responded by saying that he would ban the use of Adderall by players.
Adderall is considered a first-choice treatment drug for those suffering from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Pressed to give a more elaborate reasoning for his answer considering that Adderall only helps to improve focus and concentration, Opelka justified his response by comparing it to the use of steroids helping players improve their physical strength.
"My comment applies to professional tennis in particular. But some players have a hard time building strength... should they be allowed to take steroids?"
Opelka's viewpoint on Adderall is in line with his previous comments when he heard former Top 10 player Fernando Verdasco was handed a two-month suspension. The Spanish lefty tested positive for the drug methylphenidate, used for treating ADHD.
The tall American called out Verdasco for doping and expressed his displeasure for players who have been in the same boat, adding that he had no empathy in the slightest, as he considered them to be using a performance-enhancing drug.
"One of the biggest issues in tennis.. why are guys taking Adderall for the first time in their life as adults? Legal doping. Sorry, but I don't have empathy for any tennis player testing positive for Adderall, as in my mind it's a PED."
Opelka has been out of action since August 2022, nursing a hip and wrist injuries. He had been delaying his comeback for months now but plans to play at the Charlottesville Challenger in the United States which begins on October 30.
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