Polish Fans Thrilled By Hurkacz Heroics
Locker Room
April 5, 2021
Hubert Hurkacz is the second great Polish champion to emerge in the last year.
No wonder Poles were in raptures in Miami after their man won the big final against young Italian Jannik Sinner.
‘It feels incredible, I’m so happy,’ he said on court as the fans continued to celebrate around him.
Just like his compatriot Iga Swiatek, Hurkacz is humble, natural and so very likeable that the wider tennis world will also take “Hubi” to their hearts.
But you can bet that Polish supporters in particular will now be scrambling to get hold of tickets for Wimbledon 2021.
They now have not just one but two genuine contenders for glory in the big one.
First 19-year-old Swiatek took the 2020 French Open by storm and became the first Pole to taste Grand Slam glory in the singles.
Now Hurkacz has won Miami and become the first Pole to win an ATP Masters 1000 title.
Hubi said later: ‘I was super-proud of Iga when she won Roland Garros. If my game can inspire young people in Poland as well, I’m happy.’
But his victory won’t just inspire young people in Poland. There is a huge Polish community in London too. And they remain passionately loyal to their roots.
We can definitely expect to enjoy the colourful sight of a strong Polish contingent cheering on their heroes at Wimbledon 2021.
And why shouldn’t Hurkacz or Swiatek go all the way and fulfil their dreams?
Iga won Junior Wimbledon as recently as 2018. She loves the grass.
Hubi achieved his best Grand Slam run at the last Wimbledon in 2019, when he made the third round.
But Hurkacz will be massively more confident when he arrives for Wimbledon 2021.
He has just become the first man to win two titles this year. He stormed Delray Beach and now Miami belongs to him too.
Ten matches in Florida. Ten victories. The Pole leaves unbeaten.
Hurkacz knows it could have been easier against his young friend Sinner in the Miami final.
Hubi led 3-0 in the first set and 4-0 in the second. But big-hitting Sinner came surging back to serve for the opener at 6-5.
Hurkacz rallied just when it mattered to level. Then he controlled the breaker with relative ease.
At one stage the second set appeared to be a formality. The Pole needed one more point for a triple break and a 5-0 lead that would have left him serving for a bagel and the match.
Back came Sinner once more to lend some respectability to the score-line.
But Hubi was a worthy winner 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. And now he climbs to 16 in the world rankings.
‘That gives me extra motivation,’ he admitted.
Hurkacz will now set his sights on Grand Slam glory. It’s a logical progression now that he has won a tournament regarded by many as the biggest outside the majors.
And why shouldn’t we all enjoy the ride? You don’t have to be Polish to recognise the personal qualities of the latest young tennis superstar.
Even the beaten Sinner was simply delighted for Hurkacz. He told Hubi: ‘You showed what talent you have. I’m more proud of what kind of person you are. I have to say, you’re maybe my best friend on tour.’
Isn’t big-time tennis great? Supreme talent and personality to match.
Throw in all the elegance and emotion of Wimbledon 2021 and it becomes irresistible.
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