Who is Dane Sweeny and what did he do at the Brisbane International?

Dane Sweeny is an Australian tennis player who performed a viral handshake with Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, using a chair to bridge their height difference.

Why did Dane Sweeny use a chair for his handshake with Opelka?

Sweeny used a chair to embrace his significantly taller opponent, Reilly Opelka, as part of a lighthearted prank and to reflect his goal of having more fun in tennis.

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Sweeny's epic handshake prank with Opelka

Q: What inspired Dane Sweeny's unique handshake with Reilly Opelka?

Dane Sweeny was inspired by a similar handshake performed by Dudi Sela against Ivo Karlovic in 2014, aiming for an iconic and humorous moment.

7 Jan

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Summary

Dane Sweeny used a chair for a viral handshake with opponent Reilly Opelka.
Sweeny was inspired by a similar handshake done by Dudi Sela in 2014.
The prank reflects Sweeny's goal to have more fun with tennis this year.

Sweeny's epic handshake prank with Opelka

At the Brisbane International, a unique handshake between Reilly Opelka and Dane Sweeny has captured attention online. Following his 6-3, 7-5 loss to the American player, the 5'7" Sweeny improvised by stepping onto a chair to reach the significantly taller Opelka for their net exchange. This moment quickly went viral.

Sweeny explained his playful gesture was a nod to a memorable handshake performed by Dudi Sela against Ivo Karlovic in 2014. The Australian player stated he wanted to recreate an "iconic" moment, finding humor in the height difference between himself and Opelka.

This lighthearted act is emblematic of Sweeny's approach to the current tennis season. He expressed a desire to infuse more enjoyment into his game, aiming for a fun-loving mindset throughout his matches and competitions.