Longtime coach Jay Berger weighs in on Reilly Opelka's comeback

A South Florida native, Jay Berger is a tennis icon in the Sunshine State. Berger serves as Director of Athletics at the Club at Ibis, an award-winning country club in West Palm Beach. He also moonlights as the coach of Boca Raton-based professional tennis player Reilly Opelka. 

What makes Berger qualified to coach Opelka? A former top 10 player on the ATP Tour, Berger also served as Head of Men's Tennis at the USTA in addition to his roles coaching the USA in both Davis Cup competition and the Olympic Games. He knows how to succeed in the sport of tennis. 

Above: Opelka's coach Jay Berger also oversees an impressive tennis facility including 15 Har-Tru courts and a cushioned hard court at the Club at Ibis. Photo: Club at Ibis.

Meanwhile, Opelka, who was once a top 20 player, is working through a comeback after some tough injuries. He went nearly two years without playing a tour-level match after hip surgery and multiple wrist surgeries. The 6'11" big server made a successful return in Newport, where he reached the semi-finals. And, since then, he’s been gaining traction on the tour.

ATPTour.com recently sat down with Berger to discuss Opelka's path back to the tour. Berger explained, "I don't think people realize how dedicated he is, how committed he is, and how resilient and determined he was to get back."

Above: Reilly Opelka can often be found training at the Club at Ibis. Photo: Club at Ibis.

Two years is a long time to recover from career-threatening injuries and Berger had his doubts. He explains, "There were a lot of ups and downs and three to four months ago, I was not very optimistic to be honest. So his determination to just to see it to the end and to do everything possible to get back on the court... I mean, he is one of the most dedicated athletes I've ever seen or been around."

"The guy is in the gym seven days a week, it’s really been an all-encompassing thing for him to get back," Berger explains. "Mostly I'm just blown away by the commitment."

Berger has worked with Opelka since the age of 11 and he's thrilled to see the transition as he returns to the tour. He explains, "We’ve spent a lot of time and I was kind of was overseeing his program when he was young... I’ve been doing this for a while and the reason I do it with him is I enjoy it, he’s a great kid. He listens and keeps trying to get better."

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Source: ATP Tour. Top photo: Club at Ibis.