WATCH: 'Drama' as Reilly Opelka mocks opponent Colton Smith during Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger 2R loss
Reilly Opelka mocked his opponent Colton Smith during their second-round match at the 2024 Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger. Opelka won the tournament in 2016.
After missing out on playing for nearly two years due to hip and wrist surgeries, Opelka returned to the court this year at the 2024 Hall of Fame Open in Newport, where he reached the semifinals. Along the way, he defeated players like Constant Lestienne, Adrian Mannarino, and Mackenzie McDonald before falling to eventual runner-up Alex Michelsen in the final four
Opelka only competed in one of the four Grand Slams this year, the US Open where he lost in the first round to Lorenzo Musetti, and he last competed at the Shanghai Masters, where he suffered another early exit, again losing in the first round to Arthur Rinderknech.
Reilly Opelka is competing at the 2024 Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger, where he received a wildcard entry. He began by defeating Dmitry Popko 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(1) in the first round, but his campaign ended in the second round when he fell to compatriot Colton Smith 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4. During his match against Smith, the former World No.17 shouted, "Come on," seemingly mocking his opponent by imitating his celebratory shouts.
Smith received a special exempt entry to the main draw of the Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger owing to his runner-up finish at the 2024 Sioux Falls Challenger where he lost the title to Borna Gojo.
Reilly Opelka won the 2016 Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger
![Reilly Opelka playing at a tournament [Image Source: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/8053f-17303521975771-1920.jpg?w=500)
In 2016, Reilly Opelka won the Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger. He was unseeded in the tournament and kicked off his journey by defeating his compatriot Sekou Bangoura 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round.
Opelka then continued his winning streak by triumphing over Michael Mmoh with a score of 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, and then defeating the fourth seed Denis Kudla 6-3, 7-6 in the second round and the quarterfinals, respectively.
In the semifinals, the former World No.17 overcame wild card Mackenzie McDonald with a score of 6-3, 6-4 to secure his spot in the final. In the title clash, Opelka emerged victorious against Ruben Bemelmans 6–2, 4–6, 7–6(5) to claim the 2016 Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger title.