Lehecka captures his second tour title in Brisbane after Opelka retired

Jiri Lehecka captured his second ATP Tour title on Sunday at the Brisbane International presented by Evie, where Reilly Opelka was forced to retire early in the first set due to a back injury.

Lehecka led 4-1 when the physically hampered Opelka was forced to stop. Opelka defeated Novak Djokovic en route to his first tour-level final since 2022 and the physical demands of his run caught up with him in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Lehecka.

“It is never easy to finish a match this way, I know how you feel Reilly,” Lehecka said. “It has been an honour to see you back playing and if your body can take it you will be there for many more years.

“It was a great week for me in Brisbane. I just love to play here in Australia. I want to thank everyone for coming to watch and my team.”

Lehecka has fond memories in Australia, having lifted his maiden tour-level trophy in Adelaide 12 months ago. The 23-year-old is the second-youngest champion in tournament history and the second Czech champion, joining Radek Stepanek, who won the inaugural edition in 2009.

Lehecka beat Holger Rune, Yoshihito Nishioka, Nicolas Jarry and Grigor Dimitrov at the ATP 250 in Brisbane and is up four spots to No. 24 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.