Lehecka clinches glory in Brisbane after Opelka retires in final

Czech Jiri Lehecka won the 2025 Brisbane International on Sunday (January 5) after Reilly Opelka, his opponent in the final, retired due to an injury at the Pat Rafter Arena. Lehecka was leading 4-1 when Opelka decided to quit.

The big-serving American has been battling wrist issues lately, as evidenced in his semi-final meeting with Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

For Lehecka, the result brought a second tour-level title. On his way to the final, he overcame the likes of No 3 seed Holger Rune (7-5, 6-3), Yoshihito Nishioka (6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4), Chilean Nicolas Jarry (6-4, 6-4), and No 2 seed Grigor Dimitrov (walkover: 6-4, 4-4).

The Czech, ranked 28th in the world, will move up four spots in the ATP rankings scheduled to be released on Monday.

For Opelka, the world No 293, it was a week to remember in Brisbane as he defeated top seed Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

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