Having Grown Up Watching Venus and Serena Williams, American Star Reilly Opelka Issues Big Statement on Current State of Women’s Tennis

The WTA recently celebrated 50 years of its formation and tennis can finally claim to say that its popularity is giving tough competition to that of the ATP. Had it not been for iconic players like Venus Williams, and Serena Williams and rising tennis sensations like Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, the WTA would not have garnered the support it enjoys today. This is something that American tennis star, Reilly Opelka, also agrees upon.

WTA has come a long way since 1973 when Billie Jean King started the association with an agenda. Iconic tennis players in the WTA realm, have revolutionized and popularised the sport equally to their male counterparts.

Reilly Opelka on getting hooked on the WTA

Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff – some of these names defined the WTA at one point, while others are ones on a journey to make their name in this realm. They have and are continuing to bring popularity to the WTA. This is something American tennis star Reilly Opelka cannot deny. In a podcast interview, The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast, he stated, “I am watching more WTA than ever. Obviously, I watched a lot Venus and Serena growing up but women are really good right now.”

Talking about incumbent WTA players, he said, “Iga Swiatek is ridiculously good. Coco, she’s playing unbelievable shots, as good an athlete I have ever seen.” Conclusively, commenting on ATP players, he stated, “The product is great, the men’s product is unbelievable as well.” Equal pay at all the majors, and the continuous fight of the WTA to make it true for all the tennis tournaments show that they are getting on equal footing with the ATP.

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Despite taking an indirect dig at Coco Gauff earlier last year, he has praised her performance on the court. Seems like merit changes minds sooner than one can expect.

Opelka took a dig at Gauff over her political stance

Last year during the election Gauff asked her fans to vote. To motivate them, she shared her schedule with her fans, where despite having back-to-back tournaments; she had taken time out to vote. However, as assumed by fans, Opelka took an indirect dig at the American youngster for asking people to vote. Consequently, this led him to face a lot of backlash from Gauff’s fans for bringing down a teenager.

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However, his comments on Gauff now show his admiration for the star. Was the dig really targeted at Gauff, or was it a misinterpretation from fans? Let us know your views in the comments below.