Reilly Opelka to donate $100 per ace at Miami Open

Every ace Reilly Opelka hits at this week’s Miami Open will benefit the Wings for Life Foundation in an effort to spinal-cord injury research. The American will be donating $100 per ace and would like sponsors and fans to join the cause.

The American is good friends with professional skater Ryan Sheckler and a big fan of extreme sports, which is one of the many reasons this cause is special for him.

“I am really into action sports and guys that put their life on the line for what they love,” Opelka said.

The seven-footer is also a huge ping pong fan, and boasts a special edition Red Bull table in his garage. “My agent just signed this kid named Jenson Van Emburg who will compete in the paralympic games. He’s nasty!”

“I also am a big fan of wheelchair tennis, I think what they do is extremely impressive and I have a lot of appreciation for those athletes,” Opelka added.

Unfortunately, the world No. 41 will likely face Daniil Medvedev— arguably the hardest player in the world to ace— in the second round. But Opelka has beaten Medvedev before, and will need to do so again in order to really make a dent in his checkbook during the tournament.

Opelka’s charitable endeavor comes at a special time, as players have taken an 80% pay cut at this year’s 1000-level event.

Fans can donate to the aces project here.