It may have been difficult for Hubert Hurkacz to win his first career Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this month, but he had the makings to earn the seventh seed heading into the tournament.
Hurkacz had beaten Moldova’s Radu Albot in four sets in the first round and was leading 2-1 against Frenchman Arthur Fils when the unthinkable happened.
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Hubert Hurkacz of Poland lies on the court after falling during a match against Arthur Fils of France during the second round of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mossaab Elshamy)
Hubert Hurkacz of Poland falls while returning a shot during his match against Arthur Fils of France during the second round of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London on July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mossaab Elshamy)
The Polish tennis star was forced to leave the match late in the fourth set after injuring his knee while diving to take a shot. Play was halted for a few minutes while a trainer was called in to examine Horkacz’s knee. Horkacz continued playing despite the pain, diving to take another volley but was unable to continue.
Phills won the match 7-6 (2), 6-4, 2-6, 6-6 (9-8).
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“I saw a friend of mine. He was in a lot of pain and couldn’t move. He wasn’t worried about the score,” Firth said. From Tennis.com“I just hoped he was OK and could still walk. He said he felt something in his knee. I forgot about the score at that point. I was just trying to help him and that’s it.”
Arthur Fils of France hits a backhand return against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during the second round of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 4, 2024 in London. (AP Photo/Mossaab Elshamy)
Hurkacz, 27, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2021 and the fourth round at the French Open earlier this year.
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His career record is 205-136.
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