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The Turin 8 on The Italian Jobs stomping ground - can't see any Minis though!
l to r Casper Ruud (Norway), Alexander Zverev (Germany), Matteo Berrettini (Italy), Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Daniil Medvedev (Russia), Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece), Andrey Rublev (Russia), Hubert (Hubi) Hurkacz (Poland)

2021 Year End in Turin

Iga Swiatek & Hubert Hurkacz - Poland

2021 - They're writing about them in the same column! (A prophetic view!)

Awans Hurkacza i Świątek. Turnieje masters na wyciagniecie reki

Inevitably it's only a matter of time before Hurkacz and Świątek head the Masters.

5go Kwietnia 2021 | Eurosport

Cel jest jeszcze odległy, ale dzięki zwycięstwu w Miami Hubert Hurkacz jest znacznie bliżej występu w kończącym sezon turnieju ATP Finals. W rankingu, na podstawie którego wybierana jest ósemka zawodników finałowej imprezy w Turynie, Polak awansował właśnie na piąte miejsce. W podobnej rywalizacji wśród kobiet Iga Świątek jest obecnie tylko w nieco gorszej sytuacji od wrocławianina. Sport oglądaj w Eurosport Playerze

Hurkacz po niedzielnym sukcesie odniesionym w prestiżowych zawodach ATP Masters 1000 na Florydzie w zestawieniu "Race To Turin" poprawił swoje notowania o 13 lokat. 24-letni Polak w tym sezonie jak na razie ma na koncie siedem startów i zgromadził 1395 punktów. Wygrał w tym okresie dwa turnieje cyklu - w styczniu zwyciężył w Delray Beach. Żaden inny singlista nie wywalczył w tym czasie dwóch tytułów. W rankingu, na podstawie którego ustalona zostanie obsada październikowej imprezy we Włoszech, liderem jest Novak Djoković. Serb triumfował w lutym w Australian Open. "Djoko", który wziął udział w tym roku jak na razie tylko w dwóch turniejach, ma na koncie 2 140 pkt. Świątek tuż za finałową ósemką Trochę do zrobienia ma jeszcze Iga Świątek. Polka zajmuje obecnie dziewiąte miejsce w wyścigu do turnieju masters. Do szczęścia brakuje jej więc niewiele. Tenisistka z Raszyna, która w zawodach WTA 1000 w Miami, odpadła w trzeciej rundzie, w porównaniu z poprzednim notowaniem awansowała o dwie lokaty. Świątek zaliczyła dotychczas pięć startów w tym sezonie i ma 935 pkt. Na ten dorobek składają się m.in. punkty przyznane za triumf pod koniec lutego w Adelajdzie. Wspomnianej liście przewodzi Naomi Osaka, która po trzech występach zgromadziła 2400 pkt. Japonka w tym roku cieszyła się z sukcesu w wielkoszlemowych zmaganiach w Melbourne. Dokładnego terminu WTA Finals w tym sezonie jeszcze nie podano. Wiadomo tylko, że kończąca sezon impreza ma zostać rozegrana w chińskim Shenzhen.

2021 - Hurkacz enters the Top 10 ATP rankings and qualifies for Turin!

History For Hubi! Hurkacz Cracks The Top 10

18th October 2021 | ATP Staff

Hurkacz is second Polish man to achieve the feat

Hubert Hurkacz on Monday became the second man from Poland to break into the Top 10 of the FedEx ATP Rankings when he reached a career-high World No. 10. The 24-year-old is the 174th player to join the elite group and the second this year, alongside Norwegian Casper Ruud. This year's Miami champion is the first man from his country to accomplish the feat since Wojtek Fibak, who climbed to a career-high World No. 10 on 25 July 1977. Hurkacz began the season at World No. 34. "We have been working with my coach, CB [Craig Boynton], for [a] couple of years already, but the work we have been doing every single day, last year as well, we have been working very hard," Hurkacz said during a press conference in Cincinnati. "I think just that's a process and I'm improving my game. I try to get better every single day."

It has been a year of firsts for Hurkacz, who has become a contender at the biggest tournaments on the circuit. The Polish star won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami and advanced to his first major semi-final at Wimbledon. Hurkacz has enjoyed good results this year, and he has also impressed his peers in the process. Former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov needed a final-set tie-break to claw past Hurkacz in the BNP Paribas Open quarter-finals, and was quick to praise the Pole. "He served amazing. I even told him after the match at the net. I think he's improved amazingly on the serve. At some point I had to even guess where he's going to go," Dimitrov said. "He's such a nice guy. It's so nice to have him on Tour. Always very friendly, very easy to talk to. We've hit quite a few times against each other in Monaco. We have very friendly vibes all in all, which is great."

As Dimitrov said, Hurkacz is known for his smile and kindness off the court. But on it, the winner of three trophies this season has been working hard alongside coach Craig Boynton to craft one of the most dangerous games on the ATP Tour. "We're always searching for improvements until he wants to put down the racquets and do something different. What you work on might change, because you sit down with a set of goals and once you achieve those goals, you need to replace them with new ones," Boynton said. "The better you get, the harder you've got to work for the smaller improvement." This week four years ago, Hurkacz was outside the World's Top 400. But the 6'5" right-hander steadily improved and in 2018 he competed in the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.

"I have been playing tennis since I was a young kid," Hurkacz said in Cincinnati. "So now being able to play on the biggest stages, it's a lot of fun."With Hurkacz up to No. 10, Roger Federer falls from No. 9 to No. 11. It is the first time Federer has been outside the Top 10 since January 2017. Source : atptour.com

Ranking Reaction: Hubert Hurkacz becomes highest-ranked Polish man in ATP rankings history

John Berkok | Published 8th November, 2021

After his run to the semis of the Rolex Paris Masters, where he was just two points away from beating Novak Djokovic, Hubert Hurkacz rises from No. 10 to No. 9 today, making him the standalone highest-ranked Polish man in ATP rankings history. He tied the record for highest-ranked Polish man in ATP rankings history three weeks ago when he rose to No. 10—his countryman, Wojtek Fibak, got to No. 10 in 1977. It's been a breakthrough year for Hurkacz, highlighted by winning the biggest title of his career in Miami and reaching his first major semifinal at Wimbledon. He ended up reaching the quarterfinals or better at four of the eight Masters 1000s this year—a title in Miami, the semis of Paris and two quarterfinals at Toronto and Indian Wells.

During Indian Wells, the 24-year-old from Wroclaw was asked about taking time out to celebrate his accomplishments during such a busy year. "I'm trying to enjoy them for a little bit," he said. "I mean, sometimes it's tough with the schedule, because when you play the tournament next week, then it's not really that much time to enjoy the success. But, yeah, it's important to be happy when you have a great week to enjoy it, as well, because not every week is going to go your way." Other players hitting new career-highs in the upper echelon of the ATP rankings include Indian Wells champion Cam Norrie, who rises from No. 13 to No. 12; Australian Open semifinalist Aslan Karatsev, who makes his Top 15 debut, inching up from No. 16 to No. 15; and Taylor Fritz, who goes from No. 26 to a new personal best of No. 23. Fritz also becomes the new American No. 1 on the ATP rankings, just one spot ahead of No. 24 John Isner, who in turn is one spot ahead of No. 25 Reilly Opelka.

A little further down the ATP rankings, two players who reached their first Masters 1000 quarterfinals in Paris both break into new ranking classes this week: Australian James Duckworth, who eventually fell to Hurkacz in the French capital, makes his Top 50 debut, rising from No. 55 to No. 47; and Frenchman Hugo Gaston, who lost to Daniil Medvedev, makes his Top 100 debut, soaring from No. 103 to No. 67. Source : tennis.com

Hurkacz Completes 2021 Nitto ATP Finals

5th November 2021 | By ATP Staff | © ATP Tour

Season finale will be played in Turin from 14-21 November

The field for the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals is set. Hubert Hurkacz has earned the final spot at the season finale, to be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November. The 24-year-old is the second Polish player to earn a spot at the event in tournament history (after 1976 runner-up Wojtek Fibak) and will make his debut following a standout season in which he reached a career-high No. 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings and captured three ATP Tour trophies. "It feels incredible. Obviously going to Turin is a dream," Hurkacz said. "Growing up as a kid, seeing all those top guys playing in the Finals, it's inspiring. Now being among them, it's very special because it's just eight spots there, so it's not that easy to get there."

Hurkacz clinched his spot by defeating James Duckworth in three sets to reach the Rolex Paris Masters semi-finals. He said that he had been getting strong support from his countrymen in the weeks leading up to this moment. "I'm getting so much support, especially from other athletes... I'm privileged to be in this position, and I hope I am making Poland a little proud," Hurkacz said in a post-match interview on Tennis Channel. "Interest [in tennis] is growing in Poland also with Iga [Swiatek], who is in the WTA Finals, so it's amazing to have both players at the high level. Hopefully we will have a lot more guys and girls join the top soon."

Hurkacz began the year on a high by clinching the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com title and went on to become the lowest ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in 16 years at the Miami Open presented by Itau in March. Hurkacz backed up that effort at Wimbledon in July, where he defeated second seed Daniil Medvedev and eight-time former champion Roger Federer en route to his first major semi-final (l. to Berrettini). Those efforts and a title run in September at the Moselle Open in Metz (d. Carreno Busta) helped the Pole break into the Top 10 for the first time on 18 October. Hurkacz joins four former Nitto ATP Finals champions: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev, plus Andrey Rublev, home favourite Matteo Berrettini and fellow first-time qualifier Casper Ruud in the Turin field. The average age of this year's player field (26) is the youngest at the season finale since 2009 (25).

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said: "Congratulations to all players at this year's Nitto ATP Finals. Competition on the Tour is fierce and to be standing amongst the top 8 at the end of the season is a phenomenal achievement. We look forward to a high-energy and action-packed season finale in Turin." Eight doubles teams have qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals: Wimbledon champions Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, US Open champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, Roland Garros winners Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, Australian Open titlists Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, Kevin Krawietz and Horia Tecau, and Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares. While Polasek and Dodig have already secured their berths, Polasek also remains in contention with John Peers in Paris this week. If Polasek and Peers also finish in the Top 8 of the FedEx ATP Doubles Rankings, then Polasek will elect his chosen partner in Turin.

This will be the first edition of the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, following a 12-year stint at The O2 in London. The draw is set to take place on Thursday 11 November at 7pm CET. Source : nittoatpfinals.com

2021 - Hurkacz wows them in Metz wining both Singles & Doubles Titles!

'Green City' Also Known For Great Tennis

Renowned for its yellow limestone architecture and for its reputation as 'The Green City,' Metz is a must-see French destination for international visitors. It is also home to the Moselle Open. Frenchman Arnaud Clement won the inaugural tournament in 2003, with countrymen Jerome Haehnel (2004), Gael Monfils (2009), Gilles Simon (2010, '13 and '18), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2011-'12, '15 and '19) and Lucas Pouille (2016) following his success. Source : ATP

Hubert Hurkacz beats Carreno Busta for Metz title

The World No. 13, who did not drop a set en route to the title, was at his impressive best against the Spaniard on Sunday.

Published: 26th September 2021 : Source : sportslumo.com

Hubert Hurkacz continued his impressive season on Sunday at the Moselle Open, defeating second seed Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6, 6-3 to win his third ATP Tour title of the year. The World No. 13, who did not drop a set en route to the title, was at his impressive best against the Spaniard on Sunday. He fought back from a break down in the first set, and took it a level higher in the second to secure the victory after 82 minutes. "Pablo is an amazing player, so playing against him in the final here is something special," Hurkacz said in his on-court interview. "I needed to raise my level to play my best to be able to compete with him and today I came out on top and I am super, super happy about this."

As a result of the straight set victory, Hurkacz has now levelled his ATP Head-2-Head Series to 1-1 with Carreno Busta. This result means he has gained revenge after falling to the 30-year-old in Cincinnati last month. Earlier this year, the Pole lifted the title in Delray Beach, before capturing his first ATP Masters 1000 crown in Miami. The 24-year-old also overcame former World No. 1 Andy Murray this week on his way to securing his first trophy outside of the United States. "The atmosphere here is very special here with all of you guys," Hurkacz added as he complimented the band in the arena. "You guys [the band] make it an amazing atmosphere, so that is so nice that you guys are here." Hurkacz began the week in ninth place in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. It goes without saying that the Pole will be keen to end the season strongly, as he bids to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, which will be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November. Interestingly, Carreno Busta was also seeking his third tour-level trophy of the year, having won in Marbella and Hamburg earlier.
Tight first set

The Spaniard started on the front foot in a in a closely-fought first set. He successfully manoeuvred Hurkacz around the court to break. It kick started a comeback from the Pole, as he began to find his rhythm from the baseline and instantly broke back with a backhand pass in the eighth game. Hurkacz, who won 86 per cent (19/22) of his first-serve points in the set, sealed the set in the tie-break. The second set started with breaks being exchanged between them. Hurkacz, however, maintained his consistency before the 24-year-old broke for the fourth time to seal his victory.

Image © and courtesy of sportslumo.com with thanks

Jan Żieliński partnering Hubert Hurkacz to victory in Metz - image © and coutesy of the ATP

2021 - Hurkacz named top seed for Metz!

19th September 2021 - ATP

In a strong field, former champions, upcoming talent and home favourites will compete at the Moselle Open in Metz, with the draw conjuring up some exciting matches at the ATP 250 indoor-hard event. Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz leads the draw as the top seed and will begin his quest for his third tour-level trophy of the season against either French wild card Lucas Pouille, who won the title in 2016, or a qualifier. The 24-year-old could face former World No. 1 Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.

2021 - The post-match interviews at Wimbledon

Day Eleven: The Championships - Wimbledon 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland attends a press conference in the Main Interview Room after losing in his Men's Singles Semi-Final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during Day Eleven of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by AELTC/Joe Toth - Pool/Getty Images) - image & strapline © of and sourced from Getty with thanks

Day Eleven: The Championships - Wimbledon 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland attends a press conference in the Main Interview Room after losing in his Men's Singles Semi-Final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during Day Eleven of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by AELTC/Joe Toth - Pool/Getty Images) - image & strapline © of and sourced from Getty with thanks

There were no images (that I could find) of the Hurkacz post-match interview when he defeated Federer - but I have long loved this backdrop and think it right and fitting, despite his defeat by Berrettini, to see Hubi in these august surroundings!

2021 - Hubert Hurkacz: From idolising Roger Federer to conquering him at Wimbledon

Suyash Srivastava - Updated 8th July, 2021 | 11:23 IST

Having settled for tennis as a career, courtesy Roger Federer, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz witnessed a huge moment as he defeated his idol in the quarter-final of Wimbledon 2021 in straight sets.

Key Highlights

- Hubert Hurkacz took on his idol Roger Federer in the quarter-final of Wimbledon 2021
- Hurkacz showed nerves of steel to beat the 8-time Wimbledon champion in straight sets
- Hurkacz took up tennis as a career after being inspired by the 20-time Grand Slam champion

To millions of tennis fans across the globe, the sport means Roger Federer. The Swiss marvel, who is at the fag end of his career, witnessed one of the most heartbreaking losses on a court which is his second home. Federer's dreams of becoming the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Ken Rosewall (42) at the 1977 Australian Open, were shattered by Hurkacz - who played flawless tennis to hand Federer a straight-sets defeat on Wednesday night.

The irony is that had it not been for Federer's genius, his opponent Hurkacz might have settled for some other sport as a career and not tennis. Hurkacz, who became the second male tennis player to advance into the semi-final of a Grand Slam with a stunning straight-sets win over the 20-time Grand Slam champion, was interested in gymnastics, basketball, football as well as tennis. But it was Federer, who left a huge impact on him as the Pole settled for tennis as a career. Little did we know that Hurkacz would get the better of his idol in straight sets, including a bagel (6-0), Federer's first in his Wimbledon career. While shaking hands with Federer at the net after the match, Hurkacz was clearly sorry for what could be Federer's last appearance at the All England Club.

Image sourced from timesnonews.com

Hurkacz made headlines in Wimbledon 2021 when he defeated second-seeded Daniil Medvedev in a memorable five-setter in the fourth-round match. After getting the better of Medvedev, Hurkacs shared his admiration for Federer and said he has been a big inspiration for him. "Obviously Roger is a special player. What he's achieved throughout his whole career, it's unbelievable. The way he plays is also special… He was big inspiration for me," Hurkacz said after his fourth-round upset over Daniil Medvedev. "Being out there playing quarter-finals against him, it's really amazing. But obviously, I'm out there to play my best and give myself best chance of winning the match."

While Federer was expected to raise his game in the third set, Hurkacz took his performance to a different level by making just two unforced errors and won six games in a row. Hurkacz will now take on seventh seed Matteo Berrettini for a spot in his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. In a case where he reaches the final, it will be a huge moment for Poland - the country which has so far had only one singles Grand Slam champion in Iga Swiatek - who had won the French Open last year. "I was super proud of Iga. What she has done there in French Open was amazing," Hurkacz had told the press following his Miami title run. "I think that gave the belief for us, for me, myself, and the younger players in Poland that it's possible to win those big titles."

After defeating two mighty opponents, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Hurkacz.

2021 - Hurkacz humbles Roger Federer at Wimbledon!

Day Nine: The Championships - Wimbledon 2021
Poland's Hubert Hurkacz celebrates winning against Switzerland's Roger Federer during their men's quarter-finals match on the ninth day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 7, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) - image and strapline © of and sourced from Getty with thanks

Day Nine: The Championships - Wimbledon 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland after beating him in the quarter finals of the gentlemen's singles during Day Nine of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images) - image and strapline © of and sourced from Getty with thanks

Detail of final scoreboard as Federer leaves the court to a standing ovation - image © of & sourced from Getty with thanks

Day Nine: The Championships - Wimbledon 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland waves to the crowd after losing his men's Singles Quarter Final match against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland on Day Nine of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) - image and strapline © of and sourced from Getty with thanks

Hubert Hurkacz humbles Roger Federer to make Wimbledon semi-finals

No 14 seed wins 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 on Centre Court | Polish player hails 'super-special' victory

Simon Cambers at Wimbledon Wednesday 7th July 2021 19.23 BST

The dream is over. If it was always unlikely that Roger Federer might somehow manage to win a record ninth title at Wimbledon at the age of 39, the events of the first week or so had turned many doubters into believers. On a breezy afternoon reality kicked back in as the Swiss was beaten 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 by Hubert Hurkacz, a Pole for whom Federer was an inspiration.

Hurkacz, the 14th seed, appearing in his first grand slam quarter-final compared with the 58 of Federer, showed no nerves, no inferiority complex and, as the man who has dominated these courts so many times faded, he ruthlessly finished the job. "I don't know what to say," Hurkacz said. "It's super-special for me, to play on this court. Playing against Roger, when you're a kid, it's like a dream come true."

Federer was cheered to the hilt by the Centre Court crowd, who did everything they could to lift him one more time. He led 4-1 in the second set but could not close it out. In the third his spirit was broken. It was a remarkable performance from Hurkacz, who served notice of his talent when he won the Miami Open in March but then lost his way, winning a match at the following event in Monte Carlo before losing five in a row.

In the build-up to Wimbledon few had him on their radar. The 24-year-old had never made it past the third round of a grand slam championship but, having taken out the No 2 seed, Daniil Medvedev, in five sets in the previous round, he went into his match with Federer carrying plenty of confidence. The Swiss, after his escape in the first round when an injury to Adrian Mannarino let him off the hook, trailing two sets to one, had grown with every match and thoughts were turning to Ken Rosewall, the last 39-year-old to reach the final here, in 1974. Rosewall had reached out to Federer with a message of support before his quarter-final but after the dynamism of his previous match, the 20-time grand slam champion seemed a little flat, his ball-striking not as crisp as usual, his movement not as sharp on a day when the wind made life tricky for both. Hurkacz played smart tennis, too. At 6ft 5in, the Pole's serve is always a big weapon but his drop shots were equally impressive and the way he managed to get his returns on to the Federer backhand meant the Swiss was rarely allowed to dominate. Federer won only 33% of points on his second serve – about half his usual figure – and Hurkacz had him on the rack from the start. The warning signs were there early, as Federer saved three break points for 2-2 in the first set, and he was then broken two games later as the set drifted away. The arena, by then almost completely full, did its best to get behind its man and he responded, breaking serve for 2-0 and extending his lead to 4-1. But it never looked entirely secure and Hurkacz continued to pressure his second serve, breaking back for 4-3.

The set went to a tie-break, usually the domain of Federer, who tops the all-time tie-break statistics. But Hurkacz ripped a forehand pass to earn an early mini-break and, though Federer got it back, at 2-3, the Swiss slipped at the net, turning an easy volley into another mistake. It proved costly as Hurkacz finished it off 7-4 to double his lead. Federer has come from two sets down 10 times in his career, including at the same stage here in 2016, when he recovered to beat Marin Cilic. It never looked as if he would make it 11, though, and after he dropped serve in the second game, the set and the match drifted away. After his final forehand flew wide, Federer managed a smile for his opponent and as he left the court, with a wave to the crowd, it was hard to imagine that might be the last time he steps out on Centre Court.

This was Federer's fifth event of 2021, having returned only in March after 13 months out following two knee surgeries that took longer to recover from than he had hoped. He is due to play in the Olympics and US Open this summer and, after 20 grand slam titles, 103 singles titles and so much success on his beloved grass, he will surely not want to say goodbye to Wimbledon like this. "I really don't know," he said after the match of his future. "I've got to regroup. I'm actually very happy I made it as far as I did here and I actually was able to play Wimbledon at the level that I did after everything I went through. Of course I would like to play it again, but at my age you're just never sure what's around the corner." - Source : The Guardian

2021 - Miami Open: Hubert Hurkacz defeats Jannik Sinner to win his maiden Masters 1000 title

Poland's Hubert Hurkacz won his maiden Miami Open title on Sunday - image sourced from Carlos Goldman/Miami Dolphins via AP

Hubert Hurkacz is the first Pole to win a men's singles Masters 1000 title; the 24-year-old beat Denis Kudla, Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, and now Jannik Sinner on the way to a stunning tournament victory

Last Updated: 4th April 2021

Poland's Hubert Hurkacz made it a perfect 10-0 in Florida as he added his maiden Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open with victory over teenager Jannik Sinner to the Delray Beach Open crown he won in January. Hurkacz, the first Polish singles player to win one of the ATP's top level of events, continued his brilliant week by beating 19-year-old Italian Sinner 7-6 (7-4) 6-4. "Last year I spent here almost half a year," Hurkacz said in an on-court interview. "I was practising in the hottest weather during the spring and summer here, so I think that helped me a lot playing now in Florida, especially in these pretty tough conditions here, because it was a little bit slow here. The wind was blowing from side to side sometimes, so it's huge."

With Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all skipping the tournament, the stage was set for an unexpected champion, and so it proved. Hurkacz made the better start, winning the first three games, but Sinner responded with a run of three games of his own to draw level. The prodigiously talented teenager was the youngest Masters finalist since Rafael Nadal and, after withstanding more pressure from Hurkacz, he broke the Pole's serve at 5-5. He was unable to serve out the set, though, and it was Hurkacz who stepped up to take it on a tie-break.

The Pole was flawless at the start of the second set, reeling off four games in a row, but he became a little tight in sight of the finish line and Sinner clawed his way back to 3-4. Source : e0.365dm.com

Hubi with back-to-back Florida titles

By defeating Jannik Sinner at the Miami Open Hubert Hurkacz at No 37 becomes the lowest ranked player to win an ATP Tour Masters 1000 tournament since Tomas Berdych at the 2005 Paris Masters. The teenager was looking weary, though, and Hurkacz managed to keep his nerves at bay to make it across the finish line. "The balls felt slow when I went to serve," Hurkacz said of the final game. "Obviously a tough point. You really want to get a couple of free points and Jannik's an amazing returner. It was a tough game."

Hurkacz will climb from 37 in the world rankings to a career-high of 16 on Monday, while Sinner will move up nine spots to No 22.

2021 - The Miami Open

Pole Position: Hubert Hurkacz Claims First Masters 1000 Title In Miami | ATP Tour | Tennis - image and strapline courtesy & © of ATP

Pole Position: Hurkacz Claims First Masters 1000 Title In Miami

4th April 2021 | ATP Staff

Pole set to rise inside Top 20 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time

Hubert Hurkacz became Poland's first ATP Masters 1000 champion on Sunday after taking down 19-year-old Jannik Sinner 7-6(4), 6-4 in the Miami Open presented by Itau final. The 24-year-old needed one hour and 45 minutes to clinch the biggest ATP Tour title of his career, and his second of the year after lifting the trophy at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com. The victory extended Hurkacz's unbeaten 2021 run in South Florida to 10-0. "Last year I spent here almost half a year," Hurkacz said in an on-court interview. "I was practising in the hottest weather during the spring and summer here, so I think that helped me a lot playing now in Florida, especially in these pretty tough conditions here, because it was a little bit slow here. The wind was blowing from side to side sometimes, so it's huge."

His opponent and occasional doubles partner Sinner, the 21st seed, was trying to become the youngest Miami men's champion in history at 19 years and seven months. The pair have teamed up to play doubles twice this season – including a quarter-final appearance at last month's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships – but on Sunday they faced each other in singles for the first time. "Hubi, many congratulations for this week and a half," said the #NextGenATP Italian. "I think you showed what talent you have. I'm more proud what kind of person you are. I have to say [you are] maybe my best friend on Tour. Maybe we should play more doubles together." It was the Polish player's experience that ultimately made the difference, with 26th seed Hurkacz looking calm as he powered his way to an early break in each set. Hurkacz dictated with his forehand and forced errors off the Sinner racquet as he took a 3-0 lead. Sinner needed a few games to settle into the contest, but he lifted his level emphatically to get the break back.

Hurkacz kept Sinner under pressure, creating 11 break opportunities throughout the match, and converting on seven occasions. One of those breaks came at 6-5: with Sinner serving for the set the Pole broke to love as he outlasted Sinner from the baseline to send them into the tie-break. It would prove to be a pivotal game for Sinner, who racked up 39 unforced errors throughout the match, including 28 in the first set alone. The Italian was never able to bounce back after dropping the first set, and Hurkacz powered his way to a 4-0 lead in the second set with a double break. Although Sinner managed to fight back one of the breaks to narrow the gap to 4-3, he was unable to make any more inroads against the big Hurkacz serve. The Pole didn't face a break point for the next three games as he served out his third ATP Tour title in Miami. "The balls felt slow when I went to serve," Hurkacz said of the final game. "Obviously a tough point. You really want to get a couple of free points and Jannik's an amazing returner. It was a tough game."

With the victory, Hurkacz will break into the Top 20 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time, moving from No. 37 to a career-high No. 16 on Monday. Sinner is also projected to reach a new career-high of his own, rising to No. 23 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Source : ATP Tour

2021 - Fibak On Hurkacz: 'The Whole Of Poland Is Living His Adventure'

3rd Apr 2021 | Andrew Eichenholz

l to r Wojtek Fibak and Hubert Hurkacz - image © of, sourced from and courtesy of ATP

Hurkacz will try to become Poland's first ATP Masters 1000 singles champion

Hubert Hurkacz is making waves in Poland during the Miami Open presented by Itau, where the 24-year-old is into his first ATP Masters 1000 final. That means Wojtek Fibak, a Pole who cracked the world's Top 10 in singles and doubles, is a busy man. Fibak, the only other player from their country to win an ATP Tour singles title, has been getting 100 calls a day with requests to speak about Hurkacz. While talking to ATPTour.com on Saturday, the 67-time tour-level titlist (singles and doubles) said his two phones buzzed 10 times with calls from newspapers, radio bookers and TV stations. "The whole of Poland is living his adventure," Fibak said. "It's thrilling for Poland." It's been an exciting time for tennis in the country, and not just because of Hurkacz's dream run in Florida. Last year, Polish WTA Tour star Iga Swiatek lifted the trophy at Roland Garros.

"Each time when we were talking about Iga last year, I always mentioned Hubert in all the interviews. I always said Hubert is equally talented," Fibak said. "He moves like Iga on the court. He's the fastest, he's the best mover. He has a great forehand, great backhand. All the characteristics of Iga fit Hubert. I've always said Hubert has the same potential as Iga, so it doesn't come as a big surprise." This is not the first time Hurkacz has shown his skills. He competed in the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals and has won two ATP Tour titles — at Winston Salem in 2019 and Delray Beach earlier this year. But Fibak first saw him play as a junior at Roland Garros. "I remember just the way he walked, like a basketball player a little bit. I thought of Andy Murray and I thought he had great defence and great hands, but he wasn't as consistent then," Fibak said. "It's difficult to be consistent with his tennis because he hits so flat, he doesn't have any reserves. He doesn't use topspin. "With time, he became more consistent and then he became really dangerous."

Fibak admitted that he doesn't "pretend to do anything" officially for Hurkacz, but he keeps in touch with his countryman. Last December, he invited "Hubi" to his home in Poland. "We spoke for a couple of hours and I told him to be more aggressive, more offensive and slightly cocky," Fibak said. "He will never be cocky, but to have that nerve. Maybe that was what he was lacking and now he is a bit tougher. Not all the way, but that helps a lot." Fibak did not mean that in a negative way. Hurkacz is known for always smiling regardless of the situation, and the Polish legend loves that about him. But he noticed the rising star was "slightly shy, slightly not so sure of himself". "He didn't have the tough side. He didn't have what McEnroe and Connors succeeded with. He was almost too nice of a guy over the past two, three years and I think he didn't have that killer instinct," Fibak said. "Of course he's been winning, he beat many good players. But I thought his potential is higher, that he has more potential to win tournaments and not only to be in the quarter-finals." The former singles World No. 10 and doubles World No. 2 believes Hurkacz is one of the most talented players on the ATP Tour. His career-high FedEx ATP Ranking is World No. 28, and he is projected to crack the Top 20 with a victory against Jannik Sinner in Sunday's final. "He should be in the Top 10 if not the Top 5, and now he's proving it," Fibak said. "He's an all-around player, he doesn't have any weaknesses. A lot of players these days don't know how to react at the net and he's a great net player."

Recently, Fibak has started thinking of another comparison for Hurkacz besides Murray: former World No. 4 Miloslav Mecir, who is affectionately known as the "Big Cat". "He was so subtle, moved so well, he had great hands and he would hit flat shots always and now the speed everybody is playing faster, but he was playing in Hubert's way," Fibak said. "It was tennis that was full of imagination, innovation, very precise. We all admired it." That is a lofty comparison for Hurkacz. Mecir won the singles gold medal at the 1988 Olympics and reached two Grand Slam singles finals. But the Pole is making steady progress under the tutelage of Craig Boynton, for whom Fibak has much praise. "He has done a wonderful job with Hubert in terms of his composure, that he is so patient. They never rushed," Fibak explained. "Obviously he did have a lot of success. Considering his talent and the shots he has and the way he moves, he could have achieved some more success a bit faster. "It has to be recognised that Craig was always so patient, tolerant and forgiving in a way and always stood by Hubert in the good moments and disappointing moments and now it's all glory, they can celebrate being in the final."

Hurkacz can take it one step further on Sunday when he plays for the biggest trophy of his career. But to Fibak, this is just the beginning, and he is proud to have Hurkacz represent Poland. "My dream is he will become Top 5 and possibly even higher, Top 3, maybe a leader, and he will stay the way he is [in terms of his personality]. That's what I would like," Fibak said. "Some people proved it [is possible], like Federer, Raonic is a gentleman, he always loses the same way he wins. He's playing another gentleman, Sinner, tomorrow. They are two young people who are excellent players for their sport and their followers the way they behave on the court and off the court." Source : ATP Tour

2021 - The Italian Open

"Warto mieć marzenia". Świątek inspiracja dla Hurkacza

'It's worth dreaming.' Świątek is Hurkacz's inspiration

5go Kwietnia 2021

- To dla mnie coś naprawdę wyjątkowego. Przez cały turniej grałem solidnie. Przejście każdej kolejnej rundy sprawiało, że czułem się pewniej, każde zwycięstwo jeszcze bardziej mnie motywowało - mówi Hubert Hurkacz, który wygrał wielki turniej Miami Open. 24-letni zawodnik udzielił wywiadu Polskiej Agencji Prasowej. W niedzielę przeszedł do historii polskiego, ale i światowego tenisa. Wygrał trzeci turniej w karierze, bez dwóch zdań najważniejszy. Po raz pierwszy w jednej imprezie odprawił z kwitkiem dwóch tenisistów z top 10. W decydującym meczu pokonał Jannika Sinnera 7:6 (7-4), 6:4 i został pierwszym polskim triumfatorem turnieju rangi ATP Masters 1000. W poniedziałek awansował na 16. miejsce w rankingu. - Ta wygrana utwierdza mnie w przekonaniu, że mogę osiągnąć jeszcze więcej - przekonuje.

Nie mogło być lepszego miejsca na tak wartościowy triumf. Na Florydzie Hurkacz ma bazę treningową, na dodatek jego trener Craig Boynton jest Amerykaninem. - Jego pierwsze słowa były takie, że wiszę mu teraz butelkę dobrego wina. Cieszył się i gratulował tego, co razem osiągnęliśmy. Pracowaliśmy na ten sukces bardzo ciężko również i tu, na Florydzie, w ubiegłych latach, dlatego niesamowicie się cieszę, że to wszystko wydarzyło się właśnie w tym miejscu - podkreśla najlepszy polski tenisista i zarazem jeden z dwudziestu najlepszych na świecie. Na Florydzie jak w domu To właśnie na Florydzie Hurkacza zastał pierwszy lockdown - wiosną zeszłego roku. - Są tu świetne warunki do rozwoju i do tego, aby starać się być lepszym z dnia na dzień. Wcześniej spędziłem tutaj prawie pół roku na przełomie wiosny i lata 2020. Trenowałem po kilka godzin dziennie w bardzo ciepłej aurze, przy temperaturze dochodzącej do 39 stopni. To sprawiło, że jestem dziś w lepszej formie fizycznej oraz że szybciej się adaptuję do tego typu warunków - opowiada Hurkacz. W Miami zwyciężali już Agnieszka Radwańska czy Łukasz Kubot (on w deblu), ale największą inspiracją dla Hurkacza była Iga Świątek, która w zeszłym sezonie wygrała wielkoszlemowy Roland Garros. - Triumf Igi czy mój z Miami można spróbować przekuć w coś pozytywnego w przyszłości. Mnie zainspirowały osiągnięcia Igi i teraz ja też pokazuję, że warto mieć marzenia - twierdzi Hurkacz. Source : Eurosport

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