Hubert Hurkacz was inside the ATP Top 10 just a year ago and reached the second week at two Grand Slams in 2024. Since then, however, staying healthy and competing consistently has been a major challenge for the Polish star. After three consecutive seasons with 40+ wins between 2022 and 2024, Hurkacz’s 2025 campaign ends with just 22 matches played.
Despite the shortened season, Hurkacz still showed flashes of his quality. He posted a 13–9 record, highlighted by a run to the United Cup final, a semifinal in Rotterdam, a Rome Masters quarterfinal, and a final in Geneva on clay—once again proving his all-court game can trouble anyone. His season included notable wins over Andrey Rublev and Taylor Fritz, along with a memorable three-set final against Novak Djokovic in Geneva.
He withdrew after just two matches on grass in Den Bosch and has not returned to the ATP Tour since. A coaching partnership with former Chilean star Nicolás Massú brought promise, but physical setbacks proved the bigger obstacle.
Hurkacz’s health struggles trace back to Wimbledon 2024, when he tore the meniscus in his right knee after a dive during a point. The swelling and pain never fully subsided, forcing another surgery in July 2025 to address inflammation. His lower back has also been an issue, reducing the effectiveness of his serve and increasing the pressure he faces on court when playing ATP competition.
For Polish tennis, Hurkacz has carried a heavy burden on the men’s side. Since Jerzy Janowicz’s breakthrough a decade ago, no other male player has consistently reached the sport’s upper tiers of the top 20. By contrast, the women’s game has flourished for Polish tennis, first with Agnieszka Radwańska’s consistency at the top level, and now with Iga Świątek’s reign as a frequent world No. 1 (currently world #2) and multiple Grand Slam champion.
Fans will hope that this extended break gives Hurkacz the reset he needs. At his best, the 28-year-old remains one of the game’s most dangerous players, capable of taking down elite opponents and producing high-level tennis on every surface. His battle with Djokovic in Geneva reminded everyone of his potential. The 2026 season now looms as a critical chapter in his career, one that could determine whether he returns to the Top 10 conversation or remains held back by recurring injuries. Hurkacz may begin the 2026 season competing in lower-level tournaments like the ATP Challenger Tour, to build confidence and momentum.
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