Hubert Hurkacz has announced that he will not be competing in the Paris Olympics due to an injury sustained during Wimbledon. The severity of the injury, coupled with the limited time left before the Games, has made it impossible for the Polish tennis star to recover in time. This setback is also significant for Iga Świątek and Jan Zieliński, who were planning to team up with Hurkacz in mixed doubles and men’s doubles.
After being forced to retire in the second round of Wimbledon, Hurkacz underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation program. Despite his efforts, the timeline for his recovery did not align with the Olympic schedule, leading to Monday’s announcement on social media.
“I wanted to thank everyone for your wonderful messages and the support I have received. It means a lot to me. My rehabilitation is going very well and I am making progress every day. However, my team and I have decided that I am not able to play in the Paris Olympic Games,” Hurkacz shared on Instagram. He expressed his disappointment, having dreamed of representing Poland and winning a medal, but vowed to support his fellow athletes from afar.
Hurkacz’s withdrawal is a significant blow to Poland’s Olympic tennis hopes, given his impressive career trajectory. The team will need to adjust and rally in his absence. This situation highlights the physical demands of professional tennis and the importance of health and recovery, with supporters hopeful for Hurkacz’s full recovery and future Olympic opportunities.