50 Facts About Hubert Hurkacz

Early Life and Family Background

Hubert Hurkacz's journey into tennis began early, influenced by a family deeply rooted in sports.

1. Birth and Early Life: Hubert Hurkacz was born on February 11, 1997, in Wrocław, Poland, to Zofia Maliszewska-Hurkacz and Krzysztof Hurkacz.
2. Family Background: His mother, Zofia, was a junior tennis champion in Poland, and his uncles also played tennis professionally. His grandfather was an international volleyball player.
3. Sister: Hurkacz has a younger sister, Nika, who is ten years younger and also plays tennis.
4. Introduction to Tennis: Hubert began playing tennis at the age of five after watching his mother practice. His parents were his first teachers, and he later enrolled in tennis classes.
5. Early Interest in Tennis: He became interested in professional tennis after watching Roger Federer on television. If tennis was not his future, he would have pursued either basketball or motor racing, or continued his education.

Rise to Professional Tennis

Hurkacz's talent quickly became evident as he climbed the ranks in Polish tennis.

6. Talent Development: By 2014, Hurkacz had established himself as one of the most talented young Polish tennis players, alongside Kamil Majchrzak and Jan Zieliński.
7. Professional Career: Hurkacz turned professional in 2015 and played his first match in a Davis Cup tie against Argentina in 2016.
8. First Success on ATP Tour: His first success on the ATP Tour came in 2018, when he beat Tennys Sandgren in the first round at Roland-Garros.
9. First ATP Title: Hurkacz won his first ATP Tour title in Winston-Salem in 2019, becoming the second Polish man in history to win an ATP event after Wojtek Fibak.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Hubert Hurkacz has achieved numerous milestones, making him one of Poland's top tennis players.

10. Career Highlights: He has won eight ATP Tour singles titles, including two Masters 1000 titles at the 2021 Miami Open and the 2023 Shanghai Masters.
11. Highest Ranking: Hurkacz’s highest ranking to date is world No. 6 in singles, making him the highest-ranked Polish man in singles history.
12. Career-High Doubles Ranking: He also holds a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 30, which he attained in June 2022.
13. Serve Speed: Hurkacz’s serve can reach speeds of up to 151 miles per hour (243 km/h), making it one of the fastest serves on the ATP Tour.
14. Playing Style: He is an all-court player known for his versatile playing style and his ability to play both defensive baseliner and netplay effectively.
15. Netplay Skills: Hurkacz has often included netplay into his style, showcasing his ability to close points with precision and power.

Breakthrough Season and Major Wins

The year 2021 marked a significant breakthrough for Hurkacz, with several key victories.

16. Breakthrough Season 2021: In 2021, Hurkacz had a breakthrough season, highlighted by winning his first career singles ATP Masters Series title at the Miami Open.
17. Miami Open Victory: He upset five seeded players to win the title, including No. 6 Denis Shapovalov, No. 12 Milos Raonic, No. 2 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 4 Andrey Rublev, and No. 21 Jannik Sinner.
18. Metz and Delray Beach Titles: He also won titles in Metz and Delray Beach in 2021, further solidifying his rise in the rankings.
19. Wimbledon 2021: At Wimbledon in 2021, Hurkacz reached the semifinals, defeating Roger Federer in the quarterfinals in straight sets. This victory marked Federer’s last Grand Slam match.
20. Semifinal Loss: He then lost to Matteo Berrettini in the semifinals but entered the top 15 in the rankings at world No. 11 on July 12, 2021.

Consistent Performances and Rankings

Hurkacz's consistent performances have kept him among the top players in the world.

21. Paris Masters Semifinal: In 2021, Hurkacz also reached the semifinals of the Rolex Paris Masters, where he was just two points away from beating Novak Djokovic.
22. Ranking Rise: His run to the semifinals of the Paris Masters saw him rise from No. 10 to No. 9 in the ATP rankings, making him the standalone highest-ranked Polish man in ATP rankings history.
23. Top 10 Debut: He became the second male Polish tennis player to be ranked inside the top 10 in singles after Wojciech Fibak achieved the feat in 1977.
24. ATP Finals 2021: Hurkacz featured in the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin in November 2021 but finished the round-robin stage with zero wins and three losses.
25. Career-High Ranking in Doubles: At the 2020 ATP Cup, Hurkacz defeated a trio of higher-ranked opponents: Dominic Thiem, Diego Schwartzman, and Borna Ćorić. This success helped him reach a career-high ranking of world No. 28 in singles and world No. 47 in doubles.

Early Career Successes

Before his major breakthrough, Hurkacz had already shown promise with several notable performances.

26. Top 30 Debut in Singles: With his successful run at the Australian Open in 2020, Hurkacz reached the top 30 at world No. 28 in singles.
27. ATP Auckland Open Semifinal: He advanced to the semifinal of the ATP Auckland Open with victories over Lorenzo Sonego, Mikael Ymer, and Feliciano López.
28. Australian Open 2020: Seeded No. 31 at the Australian Open, Hurkacz reached the second round, defeating Dennis Novak before falling to John Millman in straight sets.

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Outside of tennis, Hurkacz has a variety of interests that keep him grounded.

29. Serve-and-Volley Style: Hurkacz has been recognized for his penchant for playing serve-and-volley to close points, showcasing his versatility on the court.
30. Formula 1 Fan: In his free time, Hurkacz enjoys watching Formula 1 races with his physiotherapist. He even travels with a book on the history of the sport.
31. Comedic Timing: Known for his comedic timing, Hurkacz often jokes about his surroundings, as seen in his interview for the 'Travel With A Pro' series where he pointed out a "Privacy Please" sign on his hotel room door.
32. Physiotherapist Importance: He emphasizes the importance of his physiotherapist during his time on the road, highlighting their role in maintaining his physical health and performance.
33. Fashion Sense: While not calling himself a fashionista, Hurkacz has been spotted wearing a hoodie with cartoons printed on it. However, he takes great pride in his slippers, often kicking them in the air and catching them with panache.

Recent Successes and Future Goals

Hurkacz continues to achieve success and aims for even greater heights in his career.

34. Career Titles: Hurkacz has won eight ATP Tour singles titles, including two Masters 1000 titles. His most recent title came at the 2024 Estoril Open, where he beat Pedro Martinez in the final.
35. Clay Court Success: His victory at the 2024 Estoril Open marked his first ATP title on a clay court, showcasing his adaptability across different surfaces.
36. Career-High Ranking in Singles: As of January 2024, Hurkacz’s highest ranking in singles is world No. 8, a testament to his consistent performance over the years.
37. Wimbledon 2024: Ranked a career-high No. 7, Hurkacz is set to make waves at Wimbledon 2024, aiming to reach his first Grand Slam final. His love for grass courts stems from his early experiences playing on different surfaces in Poland.
38. Roger Federer Victory: Hurkacz’s victory over Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2021 is a career-defining moment. Despite feeling the pressure, he rose to the occasion, showcasing his confidence and skill.
39. Federer’s Farewell: The match marked the end of Roger Federer’s illustrious career, with Federer acknowledging during the match that his time at the top level was over. He later bid an emotional farewell at the Laver Cup London.

Versatility and Personality

Hurkacz's versatility on the court and his humble personality make him a unique player.

40. Versatile Playing Style: Hurkacz’s versatile playing style allows him to compete effectively on various surfaces, from grass to clay. This adaptability has been a key factor in his success.
41. Unassuming Nature: Despite his powerful serve and impressive career, Hurkacz is known for his unassuming nature. His nickname "Hubi" on Tour reflects his down-to-earth personality.
42. Family Influence: The sporting genes and motivation within his family have significantly influenced his career. His mother’s junior tennis championship and his uncles’ professional tennis careers have been a source of inspiration.
43. Grand Slam Semifinal Appearance: Hurkacz became only the second Polish man in history to reach the semifinals at a Grand Slam, following Jerzy Janowicz at Wimbledon in 2013.
44. Top 15 Ranking: After his successful run at Wimbledon in 2021, Hurkacz entered the top 15 in the rankings at world No. 11 on July 12, 2021.

Notable Performances and Doubles Success

Hurkacz has also shown his prowess in doubles, adding to his impressive resume.

45. ATP Cup Success: At the 2020 ATP Cup, Hurkacz defeated Dominic Thiem, Diego Schwartzman, and Borna Ćorić, showcasing his ability to perform against top-ranked opponents.
46. ATP Auckland Open Run: He advanced to the semifinal of the ATP Auckland Open with victories over Lorenzo Sonego, Mikael Ymer, and Feliciano López, demonstrating his consistency in early-season tournaments.
47. Australian Open Performance: Seeded No. 31 at the Australian Open in 2020, Hurkacz reached the second round before falling to John Millman in straight sets. This performance helped him reach the top 30 in singles rankings.
48. Doubles Success: In addition to his singles success, Hurkacz has also achieved notable results in doubles. He won his first Masters doubles title at the 2020 ATP Cup and reached a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 47.

Recent Success and Future Aspirations

Hurkacz's recent performances indicate his ambition to leave a lasting legacy in tennis.

49. Recent Success: Hurkacz’s recent success, including a final appearance in Halle, reflects his ambition to win titles across various surfaces. He aims to leave a lasting legacy beyond his famous victory over Federer.
50. Legacy Beyond Federer: Looking ahead, Hurkacz cherishes the unique experience of playing on Centre Court and relishing the vibrant atmosphere of Wimbledon. He wants to be remembered for more than just beating Roger Federer, aiming to create his own legacy in the world of tennis.

Hubert Hurkacz: A Rising Tennis Star

Hubert Hurkacz has quickly become a standout player in the tennis world. Born in Wrocław, Poland, he started playing at age five, inspired by his mother, a junior tennis champion. His career took off in 2018, and by 2019, he had won his first ATP Tour title in Winston-Salem. Known for his powerful serve, which can reach speeds of 151 mph, Hurkacz has won eight ATP singles titles, including two Masters 1000 titles. His highest ranking to date is world No. 6, making him the highest-ranked Polish man in singles history. Beyond his impressive skills, Hurkacz is known for his unassuming nature and love for Formula 1. As he continues to compete, his versatility and dedication promise even more exciting achievements. Hubert Hurkacz is not just a player to watch; he's a player to remember.