Reilly Opelka went nearly two years without playing a tour-level match after undergoing hip surgery and later multiple wrist surgeries. The American made a successful comeback last week in Newport, where he reached the semi-finals.
ATPTour.com caught up with Opelka's longtime coach, former No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings Jay Berger, about what he past two years have been like behind the scenes, the 26-year-old's comeback and what he is most proud of his charge for.
In addition to the challenges Reilly has faced, it hasn't been an easy couple of years for you either. How nice is it for you after being there for him throughout the process to see his good start?
It's been an incredibly long two years. We had a kid really rising in the ranks and doing incredibly well, has one surgery, turns into two surgeries, turns into three surgeries. There's certainly a personal side for me, because at a young age, I was at the top of my game and had a surgery and ended up not being able to come back. So any surgery you have, there are no guarantees.
Mostly I'm just blown away by the commitment he's had to search for answers along so many different lines and the effort he puts in. I don't think people realise how dedicated he is, how committed he is, and how resilient and determined he was to get back. And I do have some experience in this because I have experienced it myself, and my point along the way is that whatever it takes, it's going to be worth it in the end.
The one match he played [at an ATP Challenger Tour event last year] was probably more incredible for him to get out there. And then, to play here [it has been] how his body's reacting more than anything, and then certainly the way he's playing. I thought he was playing pretty well, but you never know until you get out there.