It’s the second day of the ATP 1000 Madrid Masters. We are in the round of 128. The American Reilly Opelka will be squaring off with the man from Down Under, Rinky Hijikata. These two players have never faced each other before on the ATP tour.
The tallest man on the ATP Tour, Opelka (6’11” or 211 cm), had a year-long break from the tour but came back in the summer of 2024. The big server has had some nice wins since his comeback. He defeated Djokovic at the Brisbane International at the start of the year. Opelka is currently ranked at the 103rd position in the world. His highest ever was at number 17 in 2022. Reilly has won four titles so far in his career. He is in the main draw at the Mutua Open in Madrid due to his protected ranking.
The Michigan native started out his 2025 season by reaching the final in Brisbane but lost it to Lehecka. The 27 year old lost to Machac in the second round of the Australian Open. Reilly got to the QF in Dallas and the second round at Delray Beach. Opelka had a first round exit at Indian Wells and lost in the third round at the ATP 1000 Miami Masters. Reilly lost in the first round to Tsitsipas at the ATP 500 in Barcelona. Opelka has won ten and lost seven matches on the ATP Tour in 2025.
The Australian didn't make it through the qualifications in Madrid. Hijikata took care of Harris in his first qualification match in three sets. Rinky lost his second match to the Italian veteran Fognini in three sets. Hijikata still got into the main draw thanks to a withdrawal. So one of the shortest players on the ATP tour is about to play one of the tallest. Hijikata is 178 cm or 5’9”. He will potentially have some problems with returning the heavy serve of Opelka.
The 24 year old Sydney native is currently ranked at the 84th spot in the world. His highest ever was at number 62 in August of 2024. “Rinks” as he is called by the close friends of his played tennis at college in the States for two years (2021–22) at The University of North Carolina.
“Rinks” lost in the first round in Adelaide to start the year. The week after that he got his best result of the season with a QF berth in Adelaide. Hijikata lost straight away in Melbourne. He went out in the second round in Dallas. The opening round in Delray Beach and Acapulco. Rinky got to the second round at Indian Wells and at the ATP 1000 Masters in Miami. He had a first round exit in Houston. His match record is five wins and nine lost matches in the 2025 season.
