"The French allowed everyone to play" - Reilly Opelka believes Roland Garros is the only non-political Grand Slam

American tennis player Reilly Opelka is of the opinion that the French Open is the best Grand Slam tournament at the moment, not because clay is his preferred playing surface but simply because it is the only non-political Slam at the moment.

Speaking in a recent interview with Red Bull, the World No.26 revealed his hatred for how political tennis has become in recent days, so much so that he considers a Grand Slam played on his least favorite surface to be the best one on tour right now.

“I’ve loved all the Grand Slams at different times, but right now, the French Open is the best by far," Opelka said. "It’s my least favorite surface, but I love Paris, and it’s the only Grand Slam that has done it right in recent years. All of the others have gone so political."

The American ace pointed out how the Australian Open did not allow Novak Djokovic to participate this year due to his unvaccinated status but is likely to permit Russian and Belarusian players entry next year despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At the same time, he recalled how Wimbledon did the opposite — permitting Djokovic to enter while banning Russians and Belarusians from the event this season.

As for the US Open, his home Grand Slam, the 24-year-old lamented the double standards at play once again, referring to how the 21-time Grand Slam champion's vaccination status once again prevents him from playing while Russian athletes get a free pass.

Only the French Open, therefore, which did not discriminate against any party, should now be considered the "true Grand Slam" in Reilly Opelka's opinion.

"Australia didn’t allow Novak Djokovic to play [because of his COVID vaccine status], but I think they’re going to allow the Russians to play," Opelka said. "The French allowed everyone to play, Wimbledon are banning the Russians but allowing Djokovic and the U.S. Open is banning Djokovic but not the Russians. So the French Open is hands-down the best Grand Slam. For me, it’s the only true Grand Slam now."