Finalist Reilly Opelka retires hurt from Brisbane International decider, Jiri Lehecka wins title
Updated . First published at
American Reilly Opelka suddenly retired from the men's singles final at the Brisbane International on Sunday night, gifting Jiri Lehecka the title.
The 27-year-old Opelka pulled the pin after just 12 minutes as he was troubled by a back complaint.
Opelka was trailing 4-1 in the opening set when the match was called.
AS IT HAPPENED: Australia vs India fifth Test, day three
READ MORE: 'Never mistreated me': Star defends coach amid ban
READ MORE: Dilemma facing selectors over 'relentless' Boland
Reilly Opelka retires injured in the men's singles finals at the 2025 Brisbane International. Chris Hyde via Getty Images
"It's all over," a shocked Peter Psaltis said in commentary for Nine.
During the post-match presentation, Opelka confirmed that it was his back causing him grief.
"I'm bummed. Unfortunately, my back has been giving me some issues," he told the crowd at Pat Rafter Arena.
"The tournament doctor and ATP physio have been pretty unbelievable at throwing the kitchen sink at it, and we did, we worked on it literally all day.
"But unfortunately, it just wasn't right enough to compete."
Opelka made headlines last week when he became the lowest-ranked player to ever defeat Novak Djokovic.
Standing at 211cm tall, Opelka once ranked 17th in the world but now sits just inside the top 300 as he returns from a horror run of surgeries and injuries.
Opelka previously admitted that he had considered finishing his career ahead of this season as he had managed just one match in the past two years.
He will be hoping the issue is the result of muscle soreness and nothing more sinister after his campaign in Brisbane was defined by big-hitting and extended rallies.
Opelka's retirement is the latest in a number of high-profile withdrawals during big matches at the tournament.
With the result, Lehecka claims the second ATP title of his career — adding to his victory in Adelaide last year.
Lehecka will back up in the men's doubles final.
Earlier, Aryna Sabalenka overcame a scare from qualifier Polina Kudermetova to claim the women's singles title.
