One of the most challenging moments at Wimbledon was witnessing the conclusion of Hubert Hurkacz’s second-round match against Arthur Fils. The pain etched on the Polish star’s face was a testament to the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
The 27-year-old dived for a ball, putting forth his maximum effort as usual. However, when he tried to rise from an awkward position, he tore the meniscus in his right knee and had to retire late in the fourth set.
A video Hurkacz later posted showed the eight-time ATP Tour titleholder sitting on a bench next to ball kids, looking concerned and holding his knee.
“Right after it happened, I knew something was wrong because of the pain. We needed to figure out the extent of the injury,” Hurkacz told ATPTour.com. “It was tough because after the scan, I didn’t know if I would be back this year or reach my normal level. It was definitely a challenging time.”
Hurkacz consulted several doctors, most of whom said he would be out until next year. But after surgery and an intensive rehab process with his physio Kuba and fitness coach Przemek, Hurkacz is ready to compete this week at the Omnium Banque National in Montreal.
Coach Craig Boynton initially thought Hurkacz was cramping. “He was speaking in Polish to the physio, who told me, ‘He needs to stop.’ I was clueless about what was happening,” Boynton said. “He got the MRI, found out it was the meniscus, and we figured out the best plan of action. He worked incredibly hard to get back in just three to four weeks.”
Hurkacz had surgery on July 15. The next day, he began rehab, and within a week, he was back on the court doing movement work. Three weeks later, he was walking around Parc Jarry in Montreal with his trademark smile.
“It makes you appreciate what you do, not having the chance to do it for a while,” Hurkacz said. “I knew I couldn’t move on the court, so the Olympics were out of the question. I dreamed of playing there all year, but it was too risky, and I couldn’t move on the court.”
Throughout his rehab, Hurkacz stayed in touch with medical professionals and athletes, including Novak Djokovic, who tore his meniscus at Roland Garros, then reached the Wimbledon final and won Olympic gold in Paris.
“It was really inspiring what he did, especially winning the gold medal,” Hurkacz said. “Novak was very supportive and helpful. It was a difficult decision, but I knew I needed surgery.”
Beyond the rehab, the uncertainty of when he would be fit to compete was challenging for Hurkacz. Now ready for matches, his coach Boynton explained it’s an evolving process to manage.
“You see what he can do, what he’s limited in, and you deploy the assets differently,” Boynton said. “Practice involves discussing where he feels improvements can be made and where to be cautious. The matches will dictate what needs work.”
Boynton added, “I’m happy he can do what he loves. Now we have to be smart going forward and see what the matches reveal.”
Since arriving in Montreal, Hurkacz has been all smiles, appreciating every moment, from seeing fans to practicing.
“It felt like a long time. So much has happened since I was last on the court,” Hurkacz said. “We went through many difficult decisions as a team. It makes you appreciate what you do daily. Sometimes you get lost pursuing wins and titles, but now I’ve had a moment to pause and reflect.”
