Hubert Hurkacz (7. ATP) did not take part in the Olympic Games in Paris due to injury. The Pole underwent surgery after a knee injury he sustained on the Wimbledon courts. – When a meniscus is cut out, the normal state of recovery lasts several months. We knew that it would be a very difficult task to give ourselves a chance to play in the Games – Hurkacz explained in an interview for Eurosport.
Since arriving in Poland, Hubi has been working out in the gym for 12 to 13 hours a day, and has had manual therapy. He also went swimming in a pool, where, while not weighing anything down, he stimulated the muscles to work. From the first day, Hubert trained with these wounds, which also have to heal physiologically. He trained with pain, but fortunately only of the wounds, and not the pain of the knee joint. This shows what a gladiator, a hero he is. He fought with all his might to make it to the games – Jakub Rogalski, Hurkacz's physiotherapist, told us.
The media widely covered the statements of Radosław Piesiewicz, president of the Polish Olympic Committee. – We were counting on Hubert flying to the games, getting his act together and allowing Janek to play in the mixed doubles. We were in constant contact with the Polish Tennis Association. The message was that everything was going in the right direction and Hubert would be healthy. I respect this decision, but I do not understand it. Polish sport and Polish fans are losing out. It is a huge loss – commented the activist.
Hurkacz returned to play only a month after Wimbledon, specifically at the ATP 1000 tournament in Montreal, where he first won 4:6, 6:3, 7:6 against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis (81st ATP), and then 4:6, 6:3, 6:4 against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech (59th ATP). He was eventually eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 6:3, 6:7, 5:7 defeat by Australian Alexey Popyrin (23rd ATP). Hurkacz now faces another ATP 1000 tournament, this time in Cincinnati.
This is Hurkacz's first opponent in Cincinnati. He lost to him eight years ago
Hurkacz is seeded in the Cincinnati tournament with a “five” and had a bye in the first round. His first opponent was determined by a clash between the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (52nd ATP) and the Serb Miomir Kecmanovic (51st ATP).
In the first set, the players won almost all of the service games. The only opportunity to break the game came in the seventh game at 40:15, which Nishioka took advantage of. The Japanese won the set 6:4. There were no breaks for a long time in the second set either, but when Nishioka gained a break advantage at 4:3, Kecmanović quickly made up for it. The Serb saved a break point in the ninth game, but did not use a set point at 5:4, 40:30.
In the eleventh game, Nishioka gained a break advantage, which he maintained until the very end. The Japanese player missed two match points, but was effective on the third attempt, won the set 7:5 and advanced to the second round of the tournament in Cincinnati.
Hurkacz will play Nishioka for the second time in his career. Their first duel took place in the Challenger, specifically in the second round in Le Gosier in 2016. Nishioka won 6-0, 6-2. The match between Hurkacz and Nishioka will take place on Thursday, but the exact date of its start is not yet known.