“Some of the best tennis I ever played” – Hubert Hurkacz on his Miami Open victory

On Sunday, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz lifted his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the Miami Open, after a 7-6, 6-4 win over friend and occasional doubles partner Jannik Sinner 7-6(4), 6-4.

The 26th seeded Hurkacz knocked out five higher-seeded players during the past fortnight – No 6 seed Denis Shapovalov, No 12 Milos Raonic, No 2 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No 4 Andrey Rublev, and No 21 Sinner, to become the first Polish player to win an ATP Masters 1000 title. After his win, Hurkacz spoke to the press in which he talked about his game coming together in Miami, his relationship with Sinner, his success in Florida, and tennis in Poland among other things.

“My tennis is getting better” – Hubert Hurkacz

The Pole credited his strong run in Miami to the hard work that he has put in with his coach Craig Boynton in recent months.

“I played one of the best tennis I ever played. I was solid throughout the whole tournament, and I was able to get through each round, was even more pumped for the next round. So I think that’s something special for me.

“Yeah, my tennis is getting better. I mean, we work hard with my coach, Craig, and super happy that it happened here. Like, yeah, we still need to improve a couple of things and just try to get better each day.”

Hurkacz added that he had been working with his coach on several aspects including his serve, forehand and mental approach.

“Yeah, I mean, we have been working a lot with Craig on the serve, on the forehand return, as well. Obviously also like on the mental approach and the tactics, how to play against certain opponents,” the Pole said after the final.

“(My serve) for sure it gave me a lot of free points, and against such a great opponent you need them if you want to stay competitive. Like always, you need battle from the baseline to get ahead, and with your serve you can, like, you can get just a little bit of edge on your side,” Hurkacz said earlier in the week.

During the post-match ceremony, Hurkacz and Sinner paid compliments to one another, talking bout their respect for each other on the court and their friendship off it. The Pole spoke about his history with Sinner in the press once again after his win on Sunday.

“You’re maybe my best friend on tour” ☺️

“Jannik is an amazing player & an amazing person” 🤗

Who else is totally here for the Sinner/Hurkacz bromance? pic.twitter.com/W2z707qNIx

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 4, 2021

“I probably like hit with Jannik like on the Challenger in Italy when I first got into top 100, so that was maybe like three years ago or even a little bit more. I mean, he was just like, I think he might have like lost in qualies there, but he was practising every single day,” Hurkacz added.

“I was seeing him like in 2019, like, practising in Monte-Carlo. Then getting some wildcards and playing well in the ATP events. Like he was just practising there. I mean, always seemed super nice. He’s just like very, very professional. He really wants to improve and get better. So, I mean, super, super cool guy. I mean, I wish him all the best for the future.”

“Spent almost half of the year here” – Hurkacz on his success in Florida

Miami marked the second title of 2021 for Hurkacz, who also won the Delray Beach Open title in January. The Pole attributed his success in the state to having spent nearly half of last year in Florida.

“Last year I spent so much time in Florida. I was here like almost half of the year. So, like, that was I think pretty, I mean, we were working hard, and I think I’m used to the conditions. So that’s I think been part of the success I had here in Florida.”

One of the other major themes running through the Miami fortnight was the performance of the younger ATP players in the absence of the Big 3 – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. The three legends had pulled out of the event, leaving the rest of the field with an opportunity to lift an important trophy on the men’s tour.

“I think like all the NextGen guys were trying their best to play their best game, to compete as hard as they can. I mean, hopefully, the spectators enjoyed it and liked it.”

“I mean, like, Jannik is an amazing competitor and player, and, I mean, like I think he’s great for the sport. Also like couple of other guys. I mean, hopefully, I mean, it’s not for me to judge but hopefully, like, all the people enjoyed watching us and supporting us players play here in Miami.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Hubert Hurkacz (@hubihurkacz)

“Super proud of Iga Swiatek” – Hurkacz on the success of his countrywoman

Hurkacz’s win marks another important landmark in the rise of Polish tennis. Last year, 19-year-old Iga Swiatek became the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title when she won Roland-Garros. On Sunday, Hurkacz’s title made him the first Polish player to lift an ATP Masters 1000 trophy.

Hubert Hurkacz revealed that Swiatek’s win gave him and other Polish players the belief that they could also win big titles.

“I was super proud of Iga. What she has done there in French Open was amazing. 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.”

“Yeah, I mean, hopefully like with my game, I can also like inspire some people in Poland and hopefully they enjoyed it there. Yeah, I’m super, super proud to be Polish, and I’m thankful for all the support that I get.”