Reilly Opelka: Injury, Height, Net Worth, and Career Update

When you’re as tall as Reilly Opelka, people notice. The American tennis player, who stands 6 ft 11 in (211 cm), has built a career around a serve that few on the ATP Tour can return, but a series of hip and wrist injuries sidelined him for nearly two years, and now the 28-year-old is fighting his way back into the rankings.

Height: 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) ·
Career-high ATP singles ranking: World No. 17 (February 2022) ·
Age: 28 (born August 28, 1997) ·
Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand ·
Turned pro: 2015

Eight key facts about Opelka, drawn from official tournament profiles and editorial databases:

What has happened to Reilly Opelka?

Opelka missed extended time between August 2022 and July 2024 because of hip and wrist injuries, according to his Laver Cup profile. The layoff pushed his ranking from a career-high No. 17 to outside the top 100. Sportskeeda reported that during the hiatus he dropped to No. 138.

Injury timeline and recovery

• August 2022: Began dealing with hip and wrist issues.
• 2023-2024: Multiple surgeries, including hip surgery. Laver Cup notes the absence lasted until July 2024.
• January 2025: Attempted comeback at Brisbane, but retired with a wrist issue (Tennis Temple).
• 2025-2026: Gradual return to tour, ranking rebounded from 171 to 67 in 2025 (Laver Cup).

Current ATP ranking and return to play

As of the 2026 Australian Open profile, Opelka’s singles ranking was 153 (Australian Open). Other sources show variation: Tennis Majors listed him at 142 in August 2026, while Sofascore shows 142nd with 421 points. Opelka himself said in a 2025 interview: “I’m not putting a timeline, I want to make sure I’m ready and fit, that’s more important to me” (Sportskeeda).

The implication: Opelka’s ranking volatility mirrors his injury history and physical risks.

Is Reilly Opelka the tallest tennis player ever?

Opelka is officially listed at 211 cm (6 ft 11 in) on multiple tournament profiles (Australian Open, Roland Garros). The Laver Cup states that he ties Ivo Karlovic as the tallest-ever ATP-ranked player.

Tallest tennis players in history

• Ivo Karlovic: 211 cm (6 ft 11 in) – tied with Opelka.
• John Isner: 208 cm (6 ft 10 in) – per ATP official listings.
• Reilly Opelka: 211 cm (6 ft 11 in).

How Opelka compares to other giants on tour

At 6 ft 11 in, Opelka is one of only two players in ATP history to reach that height. His serve, often clocked above 140 mph, is a direct product of that leverage. The Laver Cup profile ties him with Karlovic, making him effectively the tallest active player on tour when healthy.

The pattern: Height is an asset but comes with trade-offs in mobility and durability.

What size shoe does Reilly Opelka wear?

Various reports, including a Sportskeeda profile, suggest Opelka wears a US size 17 or 18 shoe. His footwear sponsor FILA provides custom-made sneakers to accommodate his size. The exact size has not been officially confirmed by Opelka or the ATP.

Why shoe size matters for tall players

For a player of Opelka’s height, proper footwear is critical for stability and injury prevention. Custom shoes reduce the risk of ankle and foot stress, especially during the lateral movements tennis demands. The lack of official confirmation leaves the exact figure in the “unconfirmed” column.

What is Reilly Opelka’s net worth?

Opelka’s career prize money stands at $5,935,479 according to ESPN (2026 snapshot). His net worth is estimated between $4 million and $5 million by multiple sources, including Sportskeeda and Marca. A Times of India article from January 2026 cites a similar range and notes that ATP prize money had moved above $5.7 million by early 2026.

Career earnings estimated from tournaments

Prize money is the most verifiable component. ESPN’s figure of $5.9 million is the most current official tally. Secondary aggregators like TennisStats.com show around $4.46 million, but that reflects an earlier update.

Endorsement deals and other income

Opelka has endorsement deals with FILA (apparel and footwear) and Yonex (rackets). The exact value of these deals is not public, but together with prize money they support the $4–5 million net worth estimate.

The catch: Net worth estimates rely heavily on unverified endorsement income.

Where does Reilly Opelka live?

Opelka was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, and currently splits time between Florida and Michigan. He trains in Florida, often around Boca Raton or Tampa, according to multiple profiles. The Roland Garros and Australian Open pages list his residence as the United States, without a specific city.

Current residence

Florida serves as his primary training base due to the concentration of tennis facilities and warm weather. Michigan remains a home base for family.

Hometown ties

St. Joseph, Michigan, is where he grew up and began playing tennis. He has referenced his Midwest roots in interviews.

Six career statistics that define Opelka’s professional record:

Timeline of Reilly Opelka’s career

• August 1997: Born in St. Joseph, Michigan (Wikipedia).
• 2015: Turned professional (Laver Cup). According to Wikipedia, he won the Wimbledon junior boys’ singles title (Wikipedia).
• 2019: According to Wikipedia, Opelka won his first ATP singles title in New York (Wikipedia).
• February 2022: Reached career-high ranking of No. 17 (Laver Cup).
• August 2022 – July 2024: Extended injury absence (hip and wrist) (Laver Cup).
• 2025: Ranking moved from 171 to 67 during comeback (Laver Cup).
• Early 2026: Ranking at No. 153 (Australian Open).

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Height and weight from official ATP profiles (Australian Open, Roland Garros).
• Career-high ranking of World No. 17 (Laver Cup).
• Birth date and place from Wikipedia (Wikipedia).
• Four ATP singles titles (Laver Cup).

What’s unclear

• Exact shoe size (reported but not officially confirmed).
• Precise net worth figure (estimated from prize money and endorsements).
• Relationship or marriage status (no public confirmation).
• Exact timeline for return to top form is uncertain; ranking data varies by source (TennisStats.com).
• Prize money totals differ across snapshot dates (TennisStats.com).

Quotes from Opelka on his comeback

Opelka told The First Serve in 2024 that his hip felt amazing during his comeback tournament in Newport.

“Once my wrist heals up, I’ll hopefully be in the best shape of my life.”

— Reilly Opelka, quoted in Sportskeeda (2025)

“I’m not putting a timeline, I want to make sure I’m ready and fit, that’s more important to me.”

— Reilly Opelka, quoted in Sportskeeda (2025)

Opelka acknowledged “a lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt” during his comeback, according to AAP News (2025).

Opelka’s story is still being written. For the American tennis community, the question isn’t just when he’ll return to the top 50 — it’s whether his body will let him stay there. The trade-off is clear: a lethal serve against a fragile frame. For fans, the next 12 months will tell us whether the comeback is a late-career revival or a final chapter.

Frequently asked questions