Reilly Opelka has now had someone fire back at him after his recent controversial comments.

Opelka claimed that doubles was for ‘failed singles players’ earlier this year, calling for tennis to get rid of it as a whole.

These comments caused widespread criticism, but Opelka later doubled down on what he had said.

Now, after Opelka’s latest match was sparse in spectators, a WTA player has called him out.

Reilly Opelka of the United States looks on during a practice session on Day Seven of the 2025 HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club.Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images for LTAEllen Perez makes dig at Reilly Opelka after his match at the Washington Open

Opelka was playing his compatriot Murphy Cassone in the first round of the Washington Open this year, with his match scheduled on the main Stadium Court.

At the same time, the secondary John Harris court at the Washington Open saw a doubles match between Venus Williams and Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.

The crowds were packed for the return to the court of former world number one Williams, while Opelka’s match saw very few spectators in the stands.

This was noticed by many people on social media including doubles world number 19 Ellen Perez, who is also playing at the Washington Open this year and did not hide how she was feeling.

She wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Kinda funny it’s opelka of all people (emoji of hand over the mouth).”

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This was not the only doubles match that had packed crowds, with another returning player Nick Kyrgios playing alongside Gael Monfils.

Kyrgios and Monfils lost in just under an hour, watched by full stands on the Grandstand stadium.

Former number one Rennae Stubbs posted a picture to social media to show just how much doubles was being appreciated in Washington D.C.

Reilly Opelka has now entered to play in a doubles event later this year

Despite previously claiming that he did not think doubles should exist, Opelka has now signed up to play in a doubles event.

Ironically, it is the highly criticised revamped US Open mixed doubles event, where Opelka is hoping to partner his friend Williams.

However, it is not yet clear if they have officially made it into the tournament, as the US Open needs to whittle 25 teams down to just 16.

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The US Open mixed doubles event will take place next month over just two days on August 19-20.

First, after beating Cassone in his first round singles match at the Washington Open, Opelka will now play Daniil Medvedev.