Reilly Opelka defends Frances Tiafoe following criticism of his performance against Roger Federer during Laver Cup win

Reilly Opelka, who has been missing from action since the 2022 Citi Open in August, made his commentary debut at the 2022 Laver Cup, alongside Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver.

Roger Federer played his last professional match on the first day of the event, where he partnered with Rafael Nadal to face Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World. Despite winning the first set, the legendary pair lost a close match.

Moments after the match ended, a fan page took to social media to state that Tiafoe hitting his shots straight at Federer and Nadal during the match was "a bit weird." Opelka came forward in his compatriot's defense and exchanged a series of tweets with the same fan page, calling their claim a "joke."

"You really can't make this stuff up. Surely this is a joke?" Opelka wote.

Reilly Opelka

@ReillyOpelka

You really cant make this stuff up surely this is a joke? twitter.com/TheTennisLette…

The Tennis Letter

@TheTennisLetter

While I’m a fan of Frances Tiafoe, I found it a bit weird that he tried to pelt both Roger and Rafa as hard as he could in the final moments of Roger’s career. He’s a professional and has the entire court open. Back to back points? I’m not sure Kyrgios would’ve even done that.

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While I’m a fan of Frances Tiafoe, I found it a bit weird that he tried to pelt both Roger and Rafa as hard as he could in the final moments of Roger’s career. He’s a professional and has the entire court open. Back to back points? I’m not sure Kyrgios would’ve even done that.

You really cant make this stuff up😂😅 surely this is a joke? twitter.com/TheTennisLette…

The page responded by saying that it didn't suggest that Tiafoe should have let Federer and Nadal win, but that he should have avoided hitting shots at 100 mph towards their heads.

The Tennis Letter

@TheTennisLetter

@ReillyOpelka Certainly not a joke. Not saying he should’ve let Roger win the match, but hitting him and then gunning for Rafa 2 second later in the final moments of Rogers career? That’s a joke. He hit it 100 mph straight for both of their heads. The whole court was open.

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@ReillyOpelka Certainly not a joke. Not saying he should’ve let Roger win the match, but hitting him and then gunning for Rafa 2 second later in the final moments of Rogers career? That’s a joke. He hit it 100 mph straight for both of their heads. The whole court was open.

Opelka hit back with a sarcastic reply.

"Got it. So next time Frances should be thinking 64mph FH right into Fed's FH volley because it's his last match.. cool," Opelka tweeted.

Reilly Opelka

@ReillyOpelka

Got it. So next time Frances should be thinking 64mph FH right into Feds FH volley bc its his last match.. cool twitter.com/TheTennisLette…

The Tennis Letter

@TheTennisLetter

@ReillyOpelka Well it was clocked at 98 mph. So believe what you wish, but go ahead and look up the speed. The one that hit Roger could’ve gone out. Clearly not every 98 mph forehand hits the fence

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@ReillyOpelka Well it was clocked at 98 mph. So believe what you wish, but go ahead and look up the speed. The one that hit Roger could’ve gone out. Clearly not every 98 mph forehand hits the fence 😂

Got it. So next time Frances should be thinking 64mph FH right into Feds FH volley bc its his last match.. cool twitter.com/TheTennisLette…

The 25-year-old had had enough and decided to give an insight into what went on on the court. After a lesson in tennis, he ended by suggesting that the fan page should leave tennis and instead start writing about pickleball.

"If you played tennis you would know that returning a 115+ mph serve from a lefty isnt the easiest thing to do. And most of the time the safest return is big down the middle. Clearly you have never played, which is why i recommend u take ur talents to pickleball," Reilly Opelka concluded.

Reilly Opelka

@ReillyOpelka

@TheTennisLetter If you played tennis you would know that returning a 115+ mph serve from a lefty isnt the easiest thing to do. And most of the time the safest return is big down the middle. Clearly you have never played, which is why i recommend u take ur talents to pickleball

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@TheTennisLetter If you played tennis you would know that returning a 115+ mph serve from a lefty isnt the easiest thing to do. And most of the time the safest return is big down the middle. Clearly you have never played, which is why i recommend u take ur talents to pickleball

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"They've given Roger Federer the send-off he so deserves" - Billie Jean King on Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, and Reilly Opelka

Reilly Opelka made his commentary debut at the Laver Cup

Hours after Roger Federer retired from tennis as a professional, former World No. 1 Billie Jean King took to social media to laud the new team of commentators, including Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, and Reilly Opelka, for the way in which they called the Swiss legend's last match.

Billie Jean King

@BillieJeanKing

.@Martina and @PHShriver have been terrific commentators for @LaverCup.

They have given @rogerfederer the send-off to his next chapter he so deserves.

#LaverCup

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.@Martina and @PHShriver have been terrific commentators for @LaverCup.

They have given @rogerfederer the send-off to his next chapter he so deserves.

#LaverCup

Billie Jean King

@BillieJeanKing

Reilly Opelka has been terrific too. Martina, Pam, and Reilly make a great team.

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Reilly Opelka has been terrific too. Martina, Pam, and Reilly make a great team.

Team Europe's Federer and Rafael Nadal lost 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9 to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World. The 20-time Grand Slam champion had announced his decision to hang up his racquet around a week before the match in an emotional social media post.

Team World ended up winning the tournament for the first time in five attempts as they beat Team Europe 13-8.

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