In a surprising turn of events, Polish tennis star Hubert Hurkacz has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Paris Olympics. This decision comes as a significant blow to Poland’s hopes in the tennis events, particularly in the mixed doubles category where Hurkacz was expected to team up with world number one, Iga Swiatek.
Hurkacz, who has been battling a knee injury, recently underwent surgery in hopes of making a swift recovery. Despite his best efforts and a rigorous rehabilitation process, the 27-year-old has decided that he will not be able to compete at the level required for the Olympics. This decision was undoubtedly a difficult one, as Hurkacz has always expressed his dream of representing Poland on the Olympic stage and aiming for a medal.
The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate, as Hurkacz was in the midst of a promising season. He had shown impressive form earlier in the year, winning the Estoril Open and reaching the finals of the Halle Open. His performance at Wimbledon, however, was cut short due to the knee injury that ultimately led to his withdrawal from the Olympics.
Hurkacz’s absence will be felt deeply by the Polish team and fans alike. His partnership with Swiatek in the mixed doubles was highly anticipated, with many hoping they could bring home a medal for Poland. Swiatek, who has had a stellar year herself, will now have to adjust her plans and potentially find a new partner for the mixed doubles event.
While this news is disappointing, Hurkacz remains optimistic about his future in tennis. He has assured fans that he will continue to work hard on his recovery and aims to return to the court stronger than ever. His focus now shifts to ensuring a full recovery so that he can compete at the highest level in future tournaments.
The Paris Olympics will undoubtedly miss Hurkacz’s presence, but his decision to prioritize his health is a testament to his professionalism and dedication to the sport. Fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting his return to the court, hopeful that he will soon be back to his winning ways.
Hubert Hurkacz in 2024
Ranked no.7 (career-high), the Pole played his last match on the 4th of July when he had to retire when playing against world no.20 Arthur Fils in the 2nd round and the scoreline was 7-6(2) 6-4 2-6 6-6 .
Presently, during this year the Pole owns an overall 34-14 record. Hubert clinched 1 title in Estoril. Hubert was the runner-up in Australia and Halle.