No matter what Hubert Hurkacz goes on to achieve in his career, for many people his name will for ever be the answer to a quiz question: who beat Roger Federer in his last professional match? Three years ago, the quarter-final at Wimbledon was the end of the road for the Swiss, whose ailing right knee had not recovered well enough from multiple surgeries and would not allow him to continue playing at the top level.
During that match, Federer said later, he knew his knee “was gone” and that “it was over”. Just over a year later, he retired five sets. I felt I was in a good spot and I was just trying to do my best out there and compete.
“It was stressful but I was also very excited. Growing up as a kid, I was always looking up to Roger, he was my idol. He won so many times at Wimbledon and having a chance to play with him there on this unique court, that was something I always wanted to do.”
Three years on, the 6ft 5in (1.96m) Pole is ranked a career-high No 7 and goes into this year’s Wimbledon as a live contender to reach a first grand slam final or even go one better. One of the few active players to have won titles on clay, grass and indoor and outdoor hard courts, he possesses one of the best serves in the game and his style is perfectly suited to the green stuff, even though he grew up playing indoors on clay, with no heating.
