American tennis star Reilly Opelka is currently out of action. The 25-year-old last played in the Citi Open where he lost in the second round against Nick Kyrgios. Later he missed out on the US Open and is yet to return to the court. While away from tennis, Opelka has turned into a tennis fan and is closely following the ATP tour. The world number 37 is pretty active on social media and frequently gives his opinion on various topics.
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Recently, he made a comment on the prize money at the Japan Open. Opelka was not happy about the prize money the two finalists got this year. Here’s how fans reacted to it.
Reilly Opelka questions Japan Open’s prize money
Yesterday, in an all-American final of the Japan Open, Taylor Fritz defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to clinch the title. While Opelka, as an American, was happy for his compatriots, he was unhappy with the prize money they got. The 25-year-old claimed that the prize money given to the finalists this year was lesser than that of 2018. The world number 37 took to his twitter account and wrote in a post,
So let me get this straight. My boys battle it out today in the final of Tokyo in front of a packed house, one of the biggest events on @atptour and they are playing for LESS $ than the guys in 2018?!
— Reilly Opelka (@ReillyOpelka) October 9, 2022
“So let me get this straight. My boys battle it out today in the final of Tokyo in front of a packed house, one of the biggest events on @atptour and they are playing for LESS $ than the guys in 2018?!”
Here’s how fans reacted to Opelka’s tweet.
Not only is this wrong but he wouldn't have even tweeted this if his American "boys" hadn't made up the final. Then he wants to act like he's smarter than tennis media 🤡 https://t.co/HXmqjQMfM8
— boozy | Carl1ga Era 🇪🇸🌟🇵🇱 (@honeydeuceboozy) October 10, 2022
“Not only is this wrong, but he wouldn’t have even tweeted this if his American “boys” hadn’t made up the final. Then he wants to act like he’s smarter than tennis media” a fan replied.
Lol isn't the purse getting spread out throughout the earlier rounds? I don't understand being mad about making almost 400k. https://t.co/IUNiHuOlXP
— Ashlee Woods ✨ (@ashleemwoods) October 10, 2022
Explaining the reason behind reduced prize money for the finalists, a fan wrote, “Lol isn’t the purse getting spread out throughout the earlier rounds? I don’t understand being mad about making almost 400k.”
Oh noes, they got $365k for a week's work instead of $384k! Just think, with inflation as it currently stands they're really missing out!
Where's my little violin? Sorely needed right now. https://t.co/KV9ZdJdc6U
— PT (@PTTennis1) October 9, 2022
“Oh noes, they got $365k for a week’s work instead of $384k! Just think, with inflation as it currently stands, they’re really missing out! Where’s my little violin? Sorely needed right now,” another fan mocked Opelka.
And woman still play for even less so shut the fuck up https://t.co/v87i5ETQt8
— alex (@kinxside) October 9, 2022
Pointing at his hypocrisy, a fan tried to draw his attention toward the female players who get even lesser prize money. “And women still play for even less, so shut the f**k up,” she wrote.
Your girls have playing for a fraction of the pay since the beginning but crickets on that.
I see how it is. I see. https://t.co/3p6VcuF1fL
— DM (@Gamesetmatch11) October 9, 2022
Another fan wrote about the WTA prize money. “Your girls have playing for a fraction of the pay since the beginning but crickets on that. I see how it is. I see.”
I’m sorry but I’m never going to feel sorry for someone making 200K/365K for one weeks worth of work when there are teachers, nurses, and people who literally keep our society afloat that are struggling to put food on the table. Like have some fucking perspective https://t.co/ZXaroXjbHR
— Petty Crocker (@MakeItWayne15) October 9, 2022
A fan called out Opelka comparing the earnings of a tennis player to that of other professions. “I’m sorry but I’m never going to feel sorry for someone making 200K/365K for one weeks worth of work when there are teachers, nurses, and people who literally keep our society afloat that are struggling to put food on the table. Like have some fucking perspective,” he wrote.
have you seen how much the winners get in ostrava in wta? 93k.
so shut up there's nothing to complain abt https://t.co/avRZv73YGX— esmee (@IgasBakery) October 9, 2022
“Have you seen how much the winners get in Ostrava in WTA? 93k. so shut up. There’s nothing to complain abt,” another fan questioned.
This is a poor look for the game. The self entitlement of some players who don't appreciate the value of money. Moaning about earning only $360k for a weeks work. 🤮 https://t.co/e4oTN1InoQ
— Nathan Smith (@NSmithy29) October 9, 2022
“This is a poor look for the game. The self entitlement of some players who don’t appreciate the value of money. Moaning about earning only $360k for a weeks work,” another fan wrote.
bruh you’re so out of touch with reality and with the amount of money you guys actually make smh https://t.co/GnUNZGbWX2
— Ellie | RAFA IS A DAD ERA (@alwaysflopera) October 9, 2022
Questioning his knowledge, a fan wrote, “bruh you’re so out of touch with reality and with the amount of money you guys actually make smh”
he had the nerve to tweet that during the womens final where the prize money is only a fourth of the mens prize money for the winner https://t.co/Le0JTrJXlL
— yas (@tsitsiYAS) October 9, 2022
Furious over the ignorance towards WTA prize money, a fan wrote, “he had the nerve to tweet that during the women’s final where the prize money is only a fourth of the men’s prize money for the winner”
there’s nothing more privileged about complaining about prize money when the winner make more in three hours than the average person makes in a year https://t.co/u6UQHG9yuo
— mars | rublev’s orange beanie (@rublevsbeanie) October 9, 2022
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Another fan compared the tennis player’s earnings with other professions “there’s nothing more privileged about complaining about prize money when the winner makes more in three hours than the average person makes in a year,” he wrote.
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Did Opelka raise the right question? Was it correct from the fans to call him out? Let us know in the comments.