Opelka calls Rafa 'the greatest', says he used to dress like him at Halloween

J

JustMy2Cents

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Reilly Opelka recently claimed that Rafael Nadal has been his favorite player since his childhood and that he considers the Spaniard to be the "greatest". Opelka further revealed that Nadal used to be his inspiration when he played dress-up on Halloween in the past.

Reilly Opelka and Rafael Nadal are currently participating at the 2021 Citi Open in Washington. At the time of writing both players are into the third round, after having won their respective second-round matches on Wednesday.

Opelka, on his part, defeated Daniel Elahi Galan in his second-round clash on Wednesday. During his post-match press conference, the big-serving American was probed about his Italian Open semifinal encounter against Rafael Nadal, which took place in May.

Rafael Nadal defeated Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4 in that match, and the American admitted on Wednesday there was nothing more he could have done against the King of Clay on his favorite surface.

"With my style of play, unfortunately, there was not much to do," Reilly Opelka said. "The simple fact of facing Rafa was already great, he is the greatest and was playing on his court."
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Reilly Opelka went on to describe how he would dress up as his idol on Halloween when he was younger. The 23-year-old further claimed he wanted to beat Rafael Nadal in Rome, before reiterating his "respect" towards the 20-time Major champion.

"He was always my favorite player growing up, I dressed as him for Halloween twice, so facing a legend like him is incredible," Opelka added. "I wanted to go out and win, but there was a lot of respect I feel for him, I think it happens to us all."
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Rafael Nadal was my favorite player and always will be: Reilly Opelka
Even though Reilly Opelka admitted to "idolizing" Rafael Nadal, he stressed that he no longer behaves like a fanboy around the Spaniard. According to Opelka, it is imperative for a player to deal with matches against their favorites professionally - like he believes he did against Nadal during their Italian Open encounter.

"We have grown up idolizing these players (but) I no longer tell you about asking him for a selfie at the end of the match," Opelka said. "We have to draw a line on these issues. I have the utmost respect for Rafa, he is the greatest, he was my favorite player and always will be, but the day we played I entered the court and tried to beat him."
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www.sportskeeda.com

Reilly Opelka says Rafael Nadal is the "greatest", reveals he used to dress up as the Spaniard on Halloween

Reilly Opelka recently claimed that Rafael Nadal has been his favorite player since his childhood and that he considers the Spaniard to be the "greatest".
www.sportskeeda.com www.sportskeeda.com
 
That's pretty cool. Here was @TripleATeam 's birthday cake when he turned 12 last month:

84196333.jpg
 
haha, dressing up as another person is not creepy in the slightest :X3:
 
Come on
Teenage wasteland
It's only teenage wasteland
Teenage wasteland
Oh, yeah
Teenage wasteland
They're all wasted
 
Mr.Lob said:
Dressed up as Rafa on Halloween? Opelka go around picking out his hindquarters? :laughing:
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Has anyone asked you why you are obsesssed with the lower part of Rafa's body? I think, your obsession with his bottom can be justified - it was named the best looking bottom among the most famous men on the planet by French Magazine Voici a few years ago.
 
octobrina10 said:
Has anyone asked you why you are obsesssed with the lower part of Rafa's body? I think, your obsession with his bottom can be justified - it was named the best looking bottom among the most famous men on the planet by French Magazine Voici a few years ago.
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I think you have me confused with someone else. I may have mentioned Rafa picking out his hindquarters once or twice before in the 8 years I've been a member. No big deal. Rafa himself has laughed about it. A probable tall spindle arm Opelka would need to perform the "ritual" as part of the costume.
 
Mr.Lob said:
I think you have me confused with someone else. I may have mentioned Rafa picking out his hindquarters once or twice before in the 8 years I've been a member. No big deal. Rafa himself has laughed about it. A probable tall spindle arm Opelka would need to perform the "ritual" as part of the costume.
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I have no idea how many times you have mentioned it, I don't remember you.
 
Mr.Lob said:
I think you have me confused with someone else. I may have mentioned Rafa picking out his hindquarters once or twice before in the 8 years I've been a member. No big deal. Rafa himself has laughed about it. A probable tall spindle arm Opelka would need to perform the "ritual" as part of the costume.
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Ignore 'special' people like octo - its a classic case of projecting one's obsession onto others. That poster replied to me also with the same "I think your obsession with his bottom can be justified - it was named the best looking bottom among the most famous men on the planet by French Magazine Voici" shtick some time ago even though I commented on that issue only once.
 
octobrina10 said:
I think, your obsession with his bottom can be justified - it was named the best looking bottom among the most famous men on the planet by French Magazine Voici a few years ago.
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Octo, it was actually in 2014 this happened, did you forget your post of 7 years ago celebrating the article? The rest of us will never forget it.

kk.jpg
 
mahesh69a said:
Ignore 'special' people like octo - its a classic case of projecting one's obsession onto others. That poster replied to me also with the same "I think your obsession with his bottom can be justified - it was named the best looking bottom among the most famous men on the planet by French Magazine Voici" shtick some time ago even though I commented on that issue only once.
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Mr.Lob said:
Dressed up as Rafa on Halloween? Opelka go around picking out his hindquarters? :laughing:
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There is a word association game where people are asked to come out with what their mind visualizes when a word is mentioned. It reveals a lot about the person.
For many people, Dressing like Rafa will mean long hair, bandana, capri and sleeveless look with bulging biceps.
Someone choosing to mention his tic of the tugging of shorts in a crude way does convey what they are all about!

May be you are the 'special people' , not Octo who's calling you out.
 
Last edited:
BeatlesFan said:
Octo, it was actually in 2014 this happened, did you forget your post of 7 years ago celebrating the article? The rest of us will never forget it.

kk.jpg
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I posted this picture yesterday, but the thread has "disappeared". The title of the thread was: "Has Any Journalist Ever asked Rafa...?"
Google search:
E8C9wbnXMAYGE1y
 
Called his favourite player the greatest hmm. Isn’t that what every fan on the internet has been doing for years ?
 
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