Reilly Opelka Officially Withdraws From 2023 US Open
Former ATP No. 17 Reilly Opelka has pulled out from the 2023 US Open as he is still not yet match-fit but is reportedly closer than ever to coming back.
Opelka was expected to mark his return from a career-threatening hip surgery during this year's summer US swing. The injury had forced him to spend an entire year on the sidelines. Not since the Citi Open last year have we seen the big-serving American back on the tennis courts.
But Opelka suffered a setback in his preparations after picking up a wrist injury and promised to come back in the 'best shape of his life'. His hip is fully healed, and the last time he shared an update, he admitted to feeling pain in his wrist. He hasn't played in over a year and is currently unranked.
But recent videos and pictures of Opelka being put through his paces by fitness trainer Franco Herrero should be cause for optimism. Opelka appears to indulge in intense physical training which is plentiful evidence that his hip is in full working order.
The 6-foot-11 serving machine was expected to cash in on his protected ranking at this year's US Open, but his name now appears among the injured absentees such as Nick Kyrgios, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Jan-Lennard Struff. Sweden's Mikael Ymer misses out due to his anti-doping ban.
Although Opelka hasn't released a statement regarding any return date, he signed up to play at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown's second event of 2023 in Frankfurt which will take place in mid-September. The fact that he hasn't pulled from that tournament might just indicate he could ease his way into action there.
The 2023 US Open will kick off with main draw action on August 28th, and the full entry list for the tournament has already been released.
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