Reilly Opelka receiving a lucky loser (LL) spot in the main draw of the 2025 Paris Masters sparked controversy on Sunday, Oct. 26. Tennis fans are upset that the American made the cut, as he had withdrawn from his second qualifying-round match against Aleksandar Vukic earlier that day.
Last week, Opelka was competing in the qualifying event in Paris-Bercy since his ATP ranking wasn’t high enough to ensure direct entry into the main draw. The world No. 62 began his campaign at the Masters-level event by beating Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.
Scheduled to face world No. 100 Vukic in the final qualifying round on Sunday, he withdrew from the match at the last minute for undisclosed reasons.
How Did Fans React to Reilly Opelka’s Lucky-Loser Entry Into the Paris-Bercy Draw?
The news of Opelka getting a lucky loser entry into this week’s Paris Masters main draw quickly circulated on social media.
“Reilly Opelka gives a walkover in the QR2 and then wins the LL draw to enter anyway. How is this allowed?” tennis insider Jose Morgado wrote on X on Sunday.
Reilly Opelka gives a walkover in the QR2 and then wins the LL draw to enter anyway.
How is this allowed? https://t.co/qqia6ile9N
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 26, 2025
The tennis community on X has since reacted negatively to the report, with many fans insisting that the current ATP Tour rules surrounding the selection of lucky losers are absurd.
“Shameful that Opelka can still be LL,” one fan said.
Shameful that Opelka can still be LL
— Bécart Paul (@becart_paul)
“Wow, totally unfair. That’s really bad s**t,” another made their feelings clear.
“Opelka gave Vukic a walkover in the final rounds of qualifying and now gets a Lucky loser spot into the main draw (rule that is clearly flawed),” one more fan wrote.
While others were just as surprised, one fan called for the rule to be changed altogether.
“What?!! He didn’t play his qualifying round then he’s able to play at the main draw,” one fan asked, perplexed.
“This rule needs to be changed. No way could you be able to withdraw (or retire) in qualies and then be able to take a LL spot,” another wrote in disbelief.
This rule needs to be changed. No way could you be able to withdraw (or retire) in qualies and then be able to take a LL spot.
— Tennis Expert (@Tennisexpert)
In singles, players who lose in the final qualifying rounds of a tournament are automatically eligible for a lucky loser entry into the main draw, provided a direct entrant vacates their spot. Opelka was the highest-ranked player out of the eight final-qualifying losers, which also included Jesper de Jong, David Goffin, Yannick Hanfmann, Aleksander Kovacevic, Botic van de Zandschulp, and Valentin Royer.
Reilly Opelka to Play Local Favorite Corentin Moutet in Paris Masters 1R
Opelka will face in-form Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the first round of the 2025 Paris Masters on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Moutet, who finished runner-up at the Almaty Open earlier this month, is the overwhelming pick to take the match. However, it is important to note that the two are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head meetings on the ATP Tour.
While Opelka won their last encounter at the 2021 Cincinnati Masters 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, Moutet prevailed on home turf at the 2020 Lyon Open by the scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(10). If the 6-foot-11 American is fit enough to contend for a win in Paris-Bercy this week, he could improve his year-to-date tour record to 26-22.
