Hubert Hurkacz's Wimbledon hopes were brutally cut short after he suffered a devastating knee injury during a hard-fought second-round match against Frenchman Arthur Fils. The Pole, seeded seventh, was forced to retire from the match late in the fourth set, leaving Fils to advance to the next round.
Hubert Hurkacz, the seventh seed at Wimbledon, had high hopes of capturing his first Grand Slam title this month. But those dreams were shattered when he sustained a severe knee injury in his second-round match against Arthur Fils.
Wimbledon Blowout: Hubert Hurkacz Withdraws After Knee Injury
Hurkacz, 27, had battled through the first round with a four-set victory over Radu Albot. He looked poised to continue his progress when he took a 2-1 lead against Fils.
However, disaster struck in the fourth set when Hurkacz dived for a shot and felt a sharp pain in his knee. Play was halted as trainers rushed to his aid, but Hurkacz was unable to continue.
Wimbledon Blowout: Hubert Hurkacz Withdraws After Knee Injury
The crowd gasped in disbelief as Hurkacz was seen writhing in pain on the court. Fils, his opponent, showed great concern and expressed his hope that Hurkacz would recover quickly.
"I saw a friend. He was in pain and he couldn't move. I didn't care about the score," Fils said. "I was just hoping that the guy is well and he can still walk and everything. He told me that he felt something in his knee. I forgot the score at this point. I was just trying to help him, and just that's it."
Wimbledon Blowout: Hubert Hurkacz Withdraws After Knee Injury
Hurkacz's retirement marked a disappointing end to his Wimbledon campaign. The Polish star had reached the semifinals in 2021 and was considered a contender this year.
The injury also raises questions about Hurkacz's availability for the upcoming Davis Cup and US Open. The Davis Cup is scheduled to take place in September, while the US Open begins in late August.
Hurkacz has a 205-136 record in his career and has won five ATP singles titles. He broke into the top 10 in the ATP rankings in August 2021 and has been ranked as high as world number nine.
Hurkacz is known for his powerful serve and aggressive playstyle. He has won multiple matches against top-10 opponents, including wins over Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Hurkacz's Wimbledon exit will be a major disappointment for Polish tennis fans. He is one of the country's most successful players and has helped to raise the profile of tennis in Poland.
The Polish Tennis Association has not yet released any information on the extent of Hurkacz's injury. However, it is likely that he will be sidelined for an extended period of time.
Hurkacz's injury is a reminder of the unforgiving nature of professional sports. Even the best athletes can suffer setbacks, and it is important to remember that injuries are a part of the game.
