Venus Williams stunned fans last month by returning to professional tennis at the age of 45.
The multiple Grand Slam winner defied her age by winning both a singles and doubles match at the Washington Open.
Now, after becoming the second oldest winner of a WTA Tour match after Martina Navratilova, Williams is set to compete in the US Open mixed doubles.
Opelka, who recently claimed his second victory over a top 10 player in 2025 after defeating Alex de Minaur at the Cincinnati Open, will partner Williams at Flushing Meadows.
After defeating de Minaur in straight sets, Opelka spoke to the Tennis Channel about his relationship with Venus.
Reilly Opelka says he and Venus Williams ‘have a lot in common’
Reilly Opelka has certainly been in excellent singles form ahead of the US Open Mixed Doubles tournament.
In the last few months, the American has beaten Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur and Tomas Machac. He will be hoping this form translates to the doubles format when playing with Venus.
Meanwhile, Venus put in a spirited display against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the Cincinnati Open first round. Bouzas Maneiro, who reached the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open before losing to eventual champion Victoria Mboko, proved strong for Williams, winning 6-4 6-4.
Ahead of the tournament, Opelka discussed his relationship with Venus, particularly noting their similarities.
Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Opelka said: “You know, we have a lot in common.
“We both love tennis. We both love art. We both live in South Florida. So, yeah, I think, you know, we practiced together and in West Palm Beach a few times, and then, you know, we’re travelling and playing a lot of the same tournaments, heard a lot of bands and art galleries and a lot of you know, we’re foodies… we have a lot in common.
“Yeah, it’s a great friendship. I’ve been so lucky, you know, even when I was injured and, you know, not in a great spot, just a spot of doubt or not sure what I was going to be doing with myself.
“She was one of the few people that was, you know, always there, always in my corner and just [an] amazing friend to have.
Aside from being a great mentor, tennis-wise and stuff, an amazing friend and an amazing human and gave me a lot of great feedback on life outside of tennis.”
Opelka calls Venus Williams ‘one of the greatest minds ever’
Opelka went on to describe the lessons he has learned from playing and working with Venus, while describing her as one of the ‘greatest athletes ever.’
He said: “Oh, they go on and on, I mean, she’s got an amazing, like, she has an amazing family balance life.
“I mean, really just ride or die with her family and her friends and just takes care of her team more than anything and really just enjoys being around her, her coach, her physio, and just eats, sleeps, and breathes tennis. There’s a reason why she won so many slams and just Wimbledon a million times and played in the hardest era, too, as well.
“So I think I’ve learned a lot from her in that regard, and also just the tennis life balance.
“She seems to have it figured out pretty well, you know, she’s got, when you have as much longevity as her, she’s never burnt out.
“And you saw her in D.C., she was dominating a 23 year old that’s 30 in the world and, hadn’t played in two years and won like three and four and should have won two and two. It’s like insane, so I think she’s one of a kind, one of the greatest athletes ever, one of the greatest minds ever.”
After defeating de Minaur in the second round, Opelka is set to face Argentina’s Francisco Comesana. The winner of this match will play either Alexei Popyrin or Andrey Rublev.
